The intervertebral disc (or disc) is a cushion of fibrocartilage that lies between two vertebrae in the spine. The disc is made of an external fibrous ring and a gelatinous core, and its role is to form a joint between the vertebrae (fibrocartilagineous joint, or symphysis) to enable slight movements, to stabilise the structure of the spine, to  absorb the shock in the spine, and to protect the nerves that run through the middle of the spine and the discs.