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The lumbar intervertebral disc is a complex anatomic structure that can be affected by a number of distinct pathologic processes. Categories of the disease include degenerative changes, subclinical or overt trauma, infectious lesions, inflammatory insults, metabolic disease, and tumors. Abnormalities affecting the intervertebral disc may assume atypical appearances or alterations may as well mimic pathologic processes related to degeneration that can be asymptomatic. Although the imaging findings of degenerative diseases of the vertebral column have been emphasized extensively, the assembly of pathologic conditions associated with the discovertebral segment has not received adequate attention. This manuscript reviews and illustrates a range of abnormalities affecting the discovertebral segment, providing a detailed analysis of postmortem material, in the realm of a close anatomic-imaging correlation. Knowledge of the characteristic morphology and patterns of abnormal conditions affecting the intervertebral disc and discovertebral segment can help radiologists narrow the differential diagnosis in a broad spectrum of disease processes., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Theodorou et al.)

The intervertebral disc is designated the most important cartilaginous articulation of the vertebral column that functions to withstand compressive biomechanical forces and confer strength and flexibility to the spine. A thorough study of the complex fine structure and anatomic relationships of the intervertebral disc is essential for the characterization of the integrity of each individual structure in the discovertebral segment. This elaborate work in human cadavers explores the sophisticated internal structure of the normal intervertebral disc and the discovertebral segment, providing detailed data derived from the dissection of specimens through imaging and close anatomic-histologic correlation. Familiarity with the normal appearances and basic functional properties of the lumbar intervertebral disc and discovertebral segment is fundamental for the recognition of aberrations that may have important clinical implications in patients with low back pain. In Part I of this article, the anatomic structure and features of the discovertebral complex in adults will be described., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Theodorou et al.)