DR HQ: Anatomy 101—Herniated disc and back injuries

This week’s anatomy lesson focuses on something a lot of us have had—back pain. Kevin Youkilis is one player who has struggled with the malady this season. The most common type is back spasms; more serious is a pinched nerve and herniated disc. Let’s start off with a short look at the anatomy.

Anatomy and Ailments
The spine starts at the base of the skull and extends all the way down to the lower back region. The bones that make up the back are known as vertebrae. In the graphic you can see the vertebrae, the structure between each vertebrae is called the disc. The discs are made of strong rubber-like tissue, which allows the spine to be fairly flexible. A disc has a stronger fibrous outer part, and a softer jelly-like middle part...

More From The Big Hurt