intervertebral disc

noun

variants or intervertebral disk

plural intervertebral discs also intervertebral disks

: any of the tough elastic discs that are interposed between the centra of adjoining vertebrae and that consist of an outer fibrous ring enclosing an inner pulpy nucleus

Examples of intervertebral disc in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The intervertebral discs consist of a tough outer layer called the annulus fibrosus and a gel-like inner core called the nucleus pulposus. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2023

Dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, or other orthopedic concerns usually benefit from the support a harder bed offers. —Dallas News, 22 Dec. 2022

Your spine has 23 intervertebral disks between its vertebrae that act as shock absorbers. —Roy Berendson, Popular Mechanics, 22 May 2018

Dogs or cats with long backs such as dachshunds or munchkins are susceptible to ruptured intervertebral disks. —Kim Campbell Thornton, sacbee, 8 Dec. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

intervertebral disc

noun

variants or intervertebral disk

: any of the tough elastic discs that are interposed between the centra of adjoining vertebrae and that consist of an outer annulus fibrosus enclosing an inner nucleus pulposus