Intervertebral disc degeneration of cervical spine without prolapsed disc

**Definition:** This is a disease characterised by degenerative changes in the intervertebral disc and vertebral end-plates without prolapse of the intervertebral disc.

**Long definition:** The diagnosis of herniation is usually made by observation of displacement of disk material beyond the edges of the ring apophyses that is localized, meaning less than 50% (180°) of the circumference of the disk. Localized displacement in the axial (horizontal) plane can be focal, signifying less than 25% of the disk circumference, or broad based, meaning between 25% and 50% of the disk circumference. Presence of disk tissue circumferentially (50%–100%) beyond the edges of the ring apophyses may be called bulging and is not considered a form of herniation.

**Exclusions:** - Intervertebral disc degeneration of cervical spine with nervous system involvement