Normal Cervical Spinal Canal with the boundaries of the floor and roof.



Normal Cervical Spinal Canal with spinal cord and nerve root added in. This diagram shows the floor on the left and the roof on the right. (just the opposite of the first diagram in this series)



The herniated disc may be also viewed from the side. The front of the spine (floor) consists of the vertebra and the disc space located between the vertebra. The disc space contains the disc itself consisting of the nucleus and the annulus. The back (roof) of the spine consists of the spinous process and the lamina. Between the roof and floor of the spine is the spinal canal where the nerves are located. The diagram above shows a herniated disc displaced into the spinal canal at the level of the disc space.



The herniated disc may migrate up from the disc space where it originates. The diagram above shows the disc herniation has moved up the spinal canal above the original disc space and is located behind the vertebral body.



The herniated disc may migrate down from the disc space where it originates. The diagram above shows the disc herniation has moved down the spinal canal below the original disc space and is located behind the vertebral body.