Cervical Intervertebral Discs

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The cervical disc is not a small lumbar disc, but is structurally unique. The annulus is not concentric, but rather is only well developed at the anterior aspect. The collagen fibres form a thick crescentic mass anteriorly and taper laterally towards the uncinate processes. Posteriorly there is only a thin layer of paramedian, vertically oriented collagen fibres, and it is reinforced by the posterior longitudinal ligament. The cervical annulus is more like an interosseous ligament which is not load bearing.