Discs of the Spine. The spine is formed by 33 interlocking bones called vertebrae. Located between each pair of vertebrae is a disc. The disc is composed of a capsule of connective tissue surrounding a soft, jellylike center. These discs absorb shock and provide flexibility within the s Intervertebral Discs-Overview. The cervical spine includes the first seven vertebrae forming the spinal column. In between the vertebrae are intervertebral discs which act as shock-absorbers to cushion the vertebral bodies but also allow for flexibility of movement in the cervical spine. There are twenty-three intervertebral discs in the spine and ,as there is more rotation, extension, and flexion in the neck than in the other portions of the spine, the cervical intervertebral discs are subject to more stress and pressure than lower discs. Cervical Discs: Your Natural Shock Absorbers. The cervical spine in your neck is made up of seven bones called vertebrae, which are separated by discs filled with a cushioning gel-like substance. Your cervical discs both stabilize your neck and allow it to turn smoothly from side to side and bend forward to back.  Herniation of the discs in the cervical neck means that the spine’s vertebrae are more likely to rub together causing further degeneration of the spinal column. Osteophyte growth may result which has a narrowing effect on the foramina in the spine and can lead to conditions such as cervical spinal stenosis. There are twenty-three intervertebral discs in the spine and ,as there is more rotation, extension, and flexion in the neck than in the other portions of the spine, the cervical intervertebral discs are subject to more stress and pressure than lower discs. Intervertebral Disc. Sections. Intervertebral discs give the spinal column its unique flexing ability. These discs are made up of a spongy fibrocartilaginous material that acts like a cushion or a shock absorber between each of the vertebrae, or bones, that make up the spinal column. These discs also prevent the vertebrae from rubbing against each other and causing damage to the spinal column. There are six cervical discs and 23 total discs in the entire spinal column. Each cervical disc rests between the cervical vertebrae, acts as a shock absorber in the cervical spine and allows the neck to handle much stress.  An intervertebral disc (or intervertebral fibrocartilage) lies between adjacent vertebrae in the vertebral column. Each disc forms a fibrocartilaginous joint (a symphysis), to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, and acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together. The nucleus of the disc acts as a shock absorber, absorbing the impact of the body's activities and keeping the two vertebrae separated. It is the remnant of the notochord. There is one disc between each pair of vertebrae, except for the first cervical segment, the atlas. Fig 1: Healthy Microtome Section. (larger view). The vertebral disc in the spine is an interesting and unique structure. Its primary purpose is to act as a shock absorber between adjacent vertebrae. Spinal discs also act as ligaments that hold the vertebrae of the spine together and as cartilaginous joints that allow for slight mobility in the spine. There are a total of twenty-three vertebral discs in the spinal column. Specific problems with any of these discs may prompt different symptoms, including back pain, neck pain, and sciatica. 1  See All About Spinal Disc Problems. There are 23 discs in the human spine: 6 in the neck (cervical region), 12 in the middle back (thoracic region), and 5 in the lower back (lumbar region). For example, the disc between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae is designated C5-6. The nucleus of the disc acts as a shock absorber, absorbing the impact of the body's activities and keeping the two vertebrae separated. It is the remnant of the notochord. There is one disc between each pair of vertebrae, except for the first cervical segment, the atlas.
http://www.webmd.com/back-pain/discs-of-the-spine http://www.painneck.com/intervertebral-discs http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/features/neck-pain http://www.painneck.com/intervertebral-discs https://www.laserspineinstitute.com/back_problems/spinal_bone_spurs/intervertebral_disc/ http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spine-anatomy/cervical-discs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intervertebral_disc http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/spine-anatomy/spinal-discs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intervertebral_disc
what are the discs between the vertebrae made of