Type II Disk Disease is a much slower degenerative process. Either way it is suddenly sharply painful with varying degrees of reduced nerve function. If it shoots sideways, it will smack into the nerves as they exit the spinal cord. If the disk material shoots upward, it will press painfully on the ligament above and potentially cause compression and bruising (contusion) of the spinal cord. A wrong jump by the patient causes the rock-like disk material to shoot out of the annulus fibrosus. In Type I Disk Disease, the nucleus pulposus becomes calcified (mineralized). There are two main types of disease that can afflict the intervertebral disk causing the disk to press painfully against the spinal cord, nerve roots and tender dorsal longitudinal ligament: Hansen Type I Disk Disease and Hansen Type II Disk Disease. T here are 7 cervical (neck) vertebrae, 13 Thoracic (chest) vertebrae, 7 lumbar (lower back) vertebrae, 3 sacral vertebrae (which are fused), and a variable number of tail vertebrae. ( Photocredit: TBjornstad via Wikimedia Commons (modifications made in labeling) These ligaments are called the “dorsal” (above) and “ventral” (below) longitudinal ligaments. Ligaments run below and above the disks, with the ligament above the disks being particularly rich in sensitive nerves. It consists of a fibrous outer shell (called the “annulus fibrosus”), a jelly-like interior (called the “nucleus pulposus”), and cartilage caps on each side connecting it to the vertebral bones. The disk serves as a cushion between the vertebral bodies of the vertebrae. The vertebrae are connected by special joints called “ intervertebral disks.”Īnd the tougher annulus fibrosus surrounding it. The fact that numerous vertebrae make up the spine allows for flexibility of the back. The backbone (or spine) is actually made of numerous smaller bones called “vertebrae” which house and protect the spinal cord. Most people are aware of the fact that the backbone is not just one long, tubular bone. Lower back spinal column of a dog showing the vertebrae and disk spaces in between them
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