PATHOLOGIC CONDITIONS OF THE SPINE

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Abstract
Preliminary to a consideration of disturbances of the intervertebral foramina it will be helpful to review briefly the anatomy and pathology of the intervertebral disk. As so ably stated by Schmorl1and others, the disk consists of a gelatinous-like nucleus pulposus surrounded by the annulus fibrosus and separated from the vertebral bodies above and below by cartilaginous plates. Proper function of the disk as a buffer or hydrostatic ball bearing depends on the integrity of the cartilage plates and the annulus fibrosus. Two distinct types of pathologic changes in disks are encountered. In early life herniations of the nucleus pulposus may take place either through a break of the cartilaginous plate into the substance of the vertebral body or through the annulus fibrosus into the spinal canal. In the type of change which occurs in later life, fragmentation of the cartilaginous plates allows granulation tissue to grow from the

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