Slipped disc or spinal disc herniation is a condition wherein the soft inner portion of the disc protrudes out through a tear in the tougher exterior. This protrusion into the spinal canal puts pressure on the spinal cord or a single spinal nerve. Technically, it is called as prolapsed intervertebral disc.
The spine or the backbone is made up of small sized, ring-shaped bones known as vertebrae. A softer jelly-like part called a vertebral disc is present within and between each vertebra acting like a shock absorber. Each disc comprises a fibrous exterior and a softer inner portion known as the nucleous pulpossus. Due to wear-and-tear or an injury, a tear in the fibrous outer part causes the soft inner portion to protrude leading to slipped, prolapsed, or herniated vertebral disc. In most of the situations, the intervertebral disc prolapses occur in the lumbar spine in the lower back and cervical spine in the neck.