We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Cervical Disc?

By Jason Wong
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,209
Share

The term cervical disc refers to a spinal disc -- or intervertebral disc -- located in the neck region. The cervical disc is a flat structure made of specialized connective tissue. It sits between pairs of cervical vertebrae, or neck bones. The cervical vertebrae are interlocking bones in the neck that form the upper portion of the spine. There is no cervical disc between the first and second cervical bone, which are called the atlas and axis, respectively.

A cervical disc acts as cushioning for the neck bones and absorbs shock when the spine bends and twists. Each disc forms a joint that allows the vertebrae to move slightly during the bending and turning of the neck; it is also made of ligaments that hold the spine together.

Each cervical disc is made up of a nucleus, a spongy and jellylike center that acts as a shock absorber. Normal activities put pressure on the body and spine. The pressure is spread evenly across the nucleus so that the impact is absorbed. The nucleus is surrounded and kept in place by the annulus, a series of hard but elastic ligament rings that form the outer wall of the cervical disc. The annulus is also known as the capsule. It is made up of interwoven layers of fibrous tissue.

In a simple analogy, a cervical disc is like a jelly donut. The jelly is the nucleus. The dough is the capsule. When there is too much pressure, the jelly is forced out of the dough. This causes a medical condition called herniated disc.

A herniated disc occurs when the capsule is torn due to severe pressure from repeated stresses and strains. The capsule weakens as people age and may tear from injury. When the jelly of the nucleus spills out from the capsule, it may put pressure on spinal nerves located near the disc. Enzymes and chemicals coming from the disc material may cause inflammation to the area.

Aging also causes the nucleus to dry out, lessening its capability to absorb shock. This develops into axial or disc space pain in the neck. Neck pain due to a dehydrated nucleus or a herniated disc is classified as degenerative disc disease.

The common symptoms of degenerative disc disease are pain, numbness, and weakness in the neck, arms, and hands. Pain may also be felt in the skull, shoulder girdle, and shoulder blades. Patients may feel tingling, or suffer from diminished strength and limited range of motion.

A herniated disk will usually heal itself after two days of bed rest. Pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs, or heat pads may help ease the pain. Physical therapy and appropriate exercise can relieve the pressure off inflamed nerves. Many people recover after about 2 weeks without any aggressive treatment.

If pain continues after adequate rest, consult a physician immediately. In some instances -- less than 10% -- surgery is required to treat herniated discs by removing the disc partly or entirely and maybe part of a vertebra, if necessary.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-cervical-disc.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.