Medical Encyclopedia

Spinal fusion - series: Normal anatomy

The vertebrae are the bones that make up the spinal column, which surrounds and protects the spinal cord. The intervertbral discs are soft tissues that sit between each vertebrae and act as cusions between vertebrae, and absorb energy while the spinal column flexes, extends, and twists. Nerves from the spinal cord exit the spinal column between each vertebra.