T6–T7 nucleus !
The nucleus pulposus is the soft, gel-like centre of the T6-T7 disc in the mid-back; it works like a water cushion that spreads the load.
Official name: T6-T7
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What it is
The soft, gel-like centre (nucleus pulposus) of the T6–T7 disc.
What it does
Works like a water cushion: it turns pressure from above into outward push on the fibre ring, spreading the load. It is under the most pressure when you bend forward and lift.
Key facts
- Where
- Centre of the T6–T7 disc, slightly toward the back, inside the annulus fibrosus
- Function
- Notochord-derived gel (about 70–90% water, proteoglycans); turns axial load into annulus tension; small in thin thoracic discs, herniation rare
Relations
- Behind
- Back of the annulus fibrosus and the posterior longitudinal ligament, then the spinal cord
Examination
- Tenderness on tapping the spinous processes over the level is common in disc-space infection, although it is not specific
On imaging
In adults infection (spondylodiscitis) usually starts in the endplate and spreads into the nucleus space, which turns bright on T2 MRI with enhancing endplates; degeneration instead makes it dark.
Common problems
- Squeezes out through a tear in the ring (herniation), usually backward and to one side, toward a nerve root.
- Loses water with age, so the disc gets thinner and stiffer.
How it is diagnosed
On MRI a healthy nucleus is bright on T2 images; a worn one turns dark ('black disc').
Treatment
- In a microdiscectomy only the loose piece that has pushed out is removed; most of the disc stays.
Clinical notes
- Tuberculous spondylitis (Pott disease) favours the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine and often spares the disc early, spreading under the anterior longitudinal ligament; pyogenic infection destroys the disc space early
- When disc-space infection is suspected and blood cultures are negative, a CT-guided needle biopsy of the disc identifies the organism before long antibiotic treatment
Related conditions
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
Why can even a small central fragment of the T6–T7 nucleus touch the spinal cord?
Near the apex of the thoracic kyphosis the cord lies close in front of it.
How does infection of the T6–T7 disc space differ from degeneration on T2 MRI?
Infection (spondylodiscitis): the nucleus space turns bright, with enhancing endplates. Degeneration: the nucleus turns dark.
What lies directly behind the T6–T7 nucleus pulposus?
The back of the annulus fibrosus and the posterior longitudinal ligament, then the spinal cord.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Its names
- Official Latin (TA2)
- nucleus pulposus T6-T7 TA2 1686
- Official Spanish (DeCS)
- Núcleo pulposo T6-T7 DeCS D000070614
- English (TA2)
- T6-T7
Related
Sources: Terminologia Anatomica (TA2); DeCS; Anatomy, Back, Nucleus Pulposus; Anatomy, Back, Intervertebral Discs; 7.3 The Vertebral Column (OpenStax (Rice University), 2022) · adapted, CC BY 4.0.
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Representative model, for educational purposes only.
