A portion of diseased or dead tissue separated from, or joined abnormally to, surrounding healthy tissue.
n. 1. the formation of a fragment of dead bone (see sequestrum) and its separation from the surrounding tissue. 2. (in development) a separated part of an organ; a developmental anomaly.
the flexible plate of fibrocartilage that connects any two adjacent vertebrae in the backbone. At birth the central part of the disc – the nucleus pulposus – consists of a gelatinous substance, which gradually becomes replaced by cartilage with age. The intervertebral discs account for one quarter of the total length of the backbone; they act as shock absorbers, protecting the brain and spinal cord from the impact produced by running and other movements. A tear in the outer fibrous portion of the disc results in displacement of the nucleus pulposus to varying degrees: protrusion, prolapse (see prolapsed intervertebral disc), extrusion, or sequestration.... intervertebral disc