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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web 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

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'intervertebral disc.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1841, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of intervertebral disc was in 1841

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near intervertebral disc

intervertebral

intervertebral disc

intervertebral foramen

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Intervertebral disc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intervertebral%20disc. Accessed 26 Mar. 2023.

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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