Medically reviewed by Jennifer Steinhoff, MD Key Takeaways The lumbar spine includes five vertebrae that help with mobility and stability.Lumbar vertebrae are larger because they carry the load from ...

Your backbone, or spine, is made up of 26 bones called vertebrae. In between them are soft discs filled with a jelly-like substance. These discs cushion the vertebrae and keep them in place. As you ...

The spinal discs are shock-absorbing cushions between the vertebrae. Vertebrae are the large bones of the spinal column. If the spinal column tears open and the discs protrude outward, they can press ...

Herniated discs in the lower (lumbar) spine most often result from avulsion (separation) of the tissue connection between the disc and spinal bone, rather than rupture of the disc itself. Herniated ...

PHILADELPHIA — During space flight, vertebral discs are unloaded and take on increased water, which can lead to significant back pain during microgravity and disc herniation when astronauts return to ...

Degenerative disc disease is when one or more of the discs between the vertebrae of the spinal column deteriorate or break down, leading to pain. There may be weakness, numbness, and pain that ...

What Is Degenerative Disk Disease? Degenerative disk disease is when normal changes that take place in the disks of your spine cause pain. Despite its name, this condition isn't actually a disease.