Herniation of the intervertebral disc between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae will compress the:

Herniation of the intervertebral disc between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae will compress the:

• A. 4th cervical nerve root
• B. 5th cervical nerve root
• C. 6th cervical nerve root
• D. 7th cervical nerve root

Answer: (C)

Herniation of the intervertebral disc occurs when the nucleus pulposus protrudes through the annulus fibrosus and can exert pressure on nearby nerve structures. In the cervical spine, the pattern of nerve root compression is closely related to the level of the herniation and the vertebrae involved. In the scenario where the intervertebral disc between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae herniates, it will typically compress the corresponding cervical nerve root that exits at that level. The sixth cervical nerve root arises from the spinal cord segments that lie at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra. Since this nerve root exits above the sixth vertebra, when a disc herniates at this level, it primarily affects the nerve root that is below it—in this case, the sixth cervical nerve root. Thus, since the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae are involved, the correct consequence of herniation at this level is the compression of the sixth cervical nerve root. This would typically result in symptoms such as weakness or sensory changes in the areas innervated by this nerve root, often impacting the arm and shoulder regions.

Herniation of the intervertebral disc occurs when the nucleus pulposus protrudes through the annulus fibrosus and can exert pressure on nearby nerve structures. In the cervical spine, the pattern of nerve root compression is closely related to the level of the herniation and the vertebrae involved.

In the scenario where the intervertebral disc between the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae herniates, it will typically compress the corresponding cervical nerve root that exits at that level. The sixth cervical nerve root arises from the spinal cord segments that lie at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra. Since this nerve root exits above the sixth vertebra, when a disc herniates at this level, it primarily affects the nerve root that is below it—in this case, the sixth cervical nerve root.

Thus, since the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae are involved, the correct consequence of herniation at this level is the compression of the sixth cervical nerve root. This would typically result in symptoms such as weakness or sensory changes in the areas innervated by this nerve root, often impacting the arm and shoulder regions.