Herniated disc: Herniated disk in the lower

Herniated disk in the lower back. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/ herniated -disk-in-the-lower-back/. Compared with a bulging disk, a herniated disk is more likely to cause pain. The inner cartilage of the disk sticks out farther and is more likely to irritate nerve roots. The disks that lie between the vertebrae in the spine consist of a soft center (nucleus) surrounded by a tougher exterior (annulus). A herniated disk occurs when a portion of the nucleus pushes through a crack in the annulus. Symptoms may occur if the herniation compresses a nerve.