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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
Examples of intervertebral disc in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The spine is actually 33 bones stacked together by joints and cushioned by a soft-shock absorber called the intervertebral disc.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
The intervertebral discs consist of a tough outer layer called the annulus fibrosus and a gel-like inner core called the nucleus pulposus.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 25 June 2023
Dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease, or other orthopedic concerns usually benefit from the support a harder bed offers.
—Dallas News, 22 Dec. 2022
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 examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intervertebral disc.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1841, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of intervertebral disc was
in 1841
Dictionary Entries Near intervertebral disc
Cite this Entry
“Intervertebral disc.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intervertebral%20disc. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
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
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