Disk Herniations

As depicted at right: The nucleus pulposus which is usually contained inside the annulus fibrosus may bulge or herniate outward. Tearing through the annulus may produce back pain. If the herniation presses on one of the nerves, symptoms may "radiate" down the leg as far as the toes. A bulging disk may later recede, but an extruded fragment will remain outside the annulus.