Department Category: <span>Conditions</span>

The spinal canal is the passageway where the spinal cord and nerve roots reside. Spinal stenosis results when the canal is narrowed. The narrowing may result from disc protrusions or herniations, thickening of the ligaments within the canal, movement of the vertebral bodies or osteophytes (bone spurs) growing into the canal. Full Description The spinal...

The disc has a tough outer layer (annulus) surrounding a jelly-like substance in the center (nucleus). A herniation occurs when the nucleus pushes asymmetrically into or through the outer tissue layer. The discs are in front of the spinal cord and exiting nerves, and the herniated material may compress the nerves. Full Description Some of...