Stages of L4 and L5 Vertebral Disc Herniation
Normal Anatomy
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
1
Nucleus pulposus
2
Anulus fibrosus
3
L4 spinal nerve
4
L5 spinal nerve
5
Cauda equina
6
L5 vertebral body
7
L5 spinous process
8
L4 vertebral body
9
L4 spinous process
10
Epiphyseal ring (pink)
11
Cartilage plate (blue)
Stages of Disc Herniation
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Media
Enter media
Audience
Enter audience
Presentation
Print and online
Client
Enter client
Purpose
Medical illustration of the lateral cross sectional view of the lumbar spine at L4-L5 showing the stages of vertebral disc herniation. These illustrations were designed as a patient education series.
- Normal view of the anatomy is shown with hotspots for key parts of the anatomy, which helps to orient the patient as to what the lumbar region of the spine should look like normally.
- Stage 1 of vertebral disc herniation is the degeneration of the anulus fibrosus, which allows the nucleus pulposus to shift out of it’s normal position.
- Stage 2 of vertebral disc herniation is the prolapse of the nucleus pulposus as the the anulus fibrosus continues to degenerate, this allows the vertebral disc to protrude into the epidural space causing some nerve irritation.
- Stage 3 of vertebral disc herniation is the extrusion of the nucleus pulposus when the disc ruptures, resulting in more nerve irritation and some impingements.
- Stage 4 of vertebral disc herniation is the sequestration of fragments of the nucleus pulposus into the epidural space, which causes intense irritation and more nerve impingement.
Key Elements of stages of L4 and L5 vertebral disc herniation:
- Anterior longitudinal ligament
- Posterior longitudinal ligament
- Anulus fibrosus
- Nusleus pulposus
- Epiphyseal ring
- Cartilage plate
- L4 and L5 spinal nerve
- Dura mater
- Cauda equina
