Intervertebral disc
| Intervertebral disc | |
|---|---|
Intervertebral disc | |
| Details | |
| Synonyms | Spinal disc, intervertebral fibrocartilage, intervertebral cartilage, vertebral disc |
| Part of | Vertebral column |
| System | Musculoskeletal system |
| Function | Fibrocartilaginous joint between spinal vertebrae |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | discus intervertebralis |
| MeSH | D007403 |
| TA98 | A03.2.02.003 |
| TA2 | 1684 |
| FMA | 10446 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
An intervertebral disc (British English), also spelled intervertebral disk (American English), lies between adjacent vertebrae in the vertebral column. Each disc forms a fibrocartilaginous joint (a symphysis), to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, to act as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together, and to function as a shock absorber for the spine.