US Medical Term · anatomy
Intervertebral Disc
Disco intervertebral
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Intervertebral Disc |
| Spanish (Español) | Disco intervertebral |
| Chinese (中文) | 椎間盤 |
| Korean (한국어) | 추간판 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Đĩa đệm cột sống |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Intervertebral na disk |
| Portuguese (Português) | Disco intervertebral |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | หมอนรองกระดูกสันหลัง |
| Japanese (日本語) | 椎間板 |
What it means
Intervertebral discs are the cushion-like pads that sit between each of the bones in your spine. Each disc has a tough outer ring and a softer, gel-like center. They act as shock absorbers, protecting the vertebrae from impact and allowing your spine to bend and flex. When a disc is damaged — through injury, aging, or repetitive strain — its soft inner material can push outward, a condition called a herniated or slipped disc. This can press on nearby nerves and cause pain, tingling, or numbness in the back, neck, arms, or legs. Discs naturally lose water and flexibility with age.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My doctor said I have a herniated intervertebral disc pressing on a nerve.
Mi médico dijo que tengo un disco intervertebral herniado que está presionando un nervio.
The MRI showed that my intervertebral disc is bulging at L4-L5.
La resonancia magnética mostró que el disco intervertebral está abultado en L4-L5.
Could my back pain be coming from a damaged intervertebral disc?
¿El dolor de espalda podría provenir de un disco intervertebral dañado?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026