What structure lies between adjacent vertebral bodies?

What structure lies between adjacent vertebral bodies?

• A. Inter-Vertebral Disc
• B. Zygapophyseal Joint
• C. Spinal Cord
• D. Cranial Vertebra

Answer: (A)

Between two neighboring vertebral bodies sits the intervertebral disc, a fibrocartilaginous cushion that keeps the bones properly spaced and allows for bending and twisting. It has an outer ring, the annulus fibrosus, and a gel-like center, the nucleus pulposus. This design lets the spine absorb loads and distribute pressure while permitting a small amount of movement between each vertebra. Other structures aren’t between the bodies in the same way. The zygapophyseal joints, or facet joints, form between the superior and inferior articular processes toward the back of the spine and mainly guide sliding motions. The spinal cord runs within the vertebral canal inside the vertebrae, protected by bone and meninges, not between two vertebral bodies. A cranial vertebra simply refers to a vertebra near the head end and is not a specific structure that lies between adjacent vertebrae.

Between two neighboring vertebral bodies sits the intervertebral disc, a fibrocartilaginous cushion that keeps the bones properly spaced and allows for bending and twisting. It has an outer ring, the annulus fibrosus, and a gel-like center, the nucleus pulposus. This design lets the spine absorb loads and distribute pressure while permitting a small amount of movement between each vertebra.

Other structures aren’t between the bodies in the same way. The zygapophyseal joints, or facet joints, form between the superior and inferior articular processes toward the back of the spine and mainly guide sliding motions. The spinal cord runs within the vertebral canal inside the vertebrae, protected by bone and meninges, not between two vertebral bodies. A cranial vertebra simply refers to a vertebra near the head end and is not a specific structure that lies between adjacent vertebrae.