disco-, disc-, disko-, disk- +

Radiographic demonstration of the intervertebral disk by means of injection of a radio-opague water-soluble substance directly into the disk.

The shape and integrity of the nucleus pulposus and anulus fibrosis may be evaluated.

A rigid magnetic disk mounted permanently in a drive unit of a computer.

1. Rupturing of the tissue that separates the vertebral bones of the spinal column.
2. An intervertebral disk (between two adjacent vertebrae) in which the nucleus pulposus has protruded through the surrounding fibrocartilage, occurring most frequently in the lower lumbar region, and less commonly in the cervical region.

Mild to severe symptoms may result from pressure on spinal nerves; also known as, "a ruptured intervertebral disk", or "a slipped disk" (the action of the nuclear tissue when it is forced from the center of the disc).

The center of the disc, which is called the nucleus, is soft, springy, and receives the shock of standing, walking, running, etc.

The outer ring of the disc, which is called the annulus (Latin for "ring"), provides structure and strength to the disc. The annulus consists of a complex series of interwoven layers of fibrous tissue that hold the nucleus in place.

When the disc has herniated, or ruptured, it may create pressure against one or more of the spinal nerves which can cause pain, weakness, or numbness in the neck and arm. Other names for herniated discs are "prolapsed discs" and "ruptured discs".

Plates of fibrocartilage placed between two vertebrae (special types of bones that form the spinal column), covering their inferior and superior surfaces: "The intervertebral discs play a primary use in weight bearing and a lesser degree in movement."

"The intervertebral discs or nucleus pulposus (soft moist solid) are fibro-cartilaginous discs that lie between the vertebral bodies in the spine."

These intervertebral disks are composed of a central gelatinous-like material that provide a cushioning or shock absorbing quality to the spinal column to axial stress. The discs may herniate or rupture, resulting in a condition known as a radiculopathy."

A small recordable compact disc housed in a rectangular plastic case.

A grooveless disk on which digital data; such as, text, music, or pictures, is stored as tiny pits in the surface and is read or replayed by a laser beam scanning the surface.

A painful rupture of the fibrocartilage of the disc between spinal vertebrae which occurs most often in the lumbar region of the back.

A digital recording,especially of a movie, on an optical disk that can be played on a computer or a television set.