Abstract
Cervical radiculopathy may be caused by a ruptured intervertebral disk, spondylosis, or a combination of these two processes. Soft disk material extrudes when the posterior annulus ruptures after the nucleus pulposus herniates. Figure 35-1 illustrates a typical lateral extruded disk. Laterally, the posterior annulus is weakest and the posterior longitudinal ligament is thinnest. Consequently, most degenerated disks protrude in this area. Because the nerve root is stretched over this area as it enters the intervertebral foramen, even a small amount of extruded disk material can cause the symptoms and signs of radiculopathy.
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© 2004 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.
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Salcman, M., Heros, R.C., Laws, E.R., Sonntag, V.K.H. (2004). Cervical Radiculoneuropathy: Herniated Intervertebral Disk and Spondylosis. In: Kempe’s Operative Neurosurgery. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9007-5_11
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-9007-5_11
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
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