The cervical intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus consists of concentric oblique collagen lamellae surrounding the nucleus pulposus, reinforced posterolaterally by the uncovertebral joints (joints of Luschka) unique to the cervical spine.
Resists multidirectional loading of the cervical disc, contains the nucleus pulposus, distributes compressive and shear forces across the endplates, and is reinforced by the uncovertebral joints at its posterolateral margins.
Cervical disc herniation through the posterior annular fibres is the most common cause of cervical radiculopathy — soft disc herniations at C5-C6 and C6-C7 most frequently compress the C6 and C7 nerve roots respectively. ACDF removes the disc and annular remnants, restoring foraminal height.
Posterior annular tear allowing nucleus pulposus herniation compressing the adjacent nerve root, producing cervical radiculopathy with dermatomal sensory loss and myotomal weakness managed by ACDF or foraminotomy.
Degenerative cervical disc with posterior and posterolateral annular bulging producing foraminal stenosis exacerbated by uncovertebral joint osteophytes, causing radiculopathy in the affected dermatomal distribution.
This website uses cookies to enhance your experience. Some are essential for site functionality, while others help us analyze and improve your usage experience. Please review your options and make your choice.
If you are under 16 years old, please ensure that you have received consent from your parent or guardian for any non-essential cookies.
Your privacy is important to us. You can adjust your cookie settings at any time. For more information about how we use data, please read our privacy policy. You may change your preferences at any time by clicking on the settings button below.
Note that if you choose to disable some types of cookies, it may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer.
Some required resources have been blocked, which can affect third-party services and may cause the site to not function properly.
This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and ensure the site functions properly. By continuing to use this site, you acknowledge and accept our use of cookies.
