Question on MRI of the back?

The neural foramen is a "hole" created from two adjacent vertebrae...the top one forms the top arch of the "hole" and the bottom vertebrae creates the bottom part of the "hole". This is the point at which a nerve root exits out of the spinal canal.

The disc that lies between these two vertebrae is protruding outwards towards this hole. This usually leaves very little room for the nerve to move which can cause intermittent nerve compression. It does not clarify whether the foramen has actually been comprimised....a condition called foramenal stenosis.

Basically, you have a disc protrusion (a herniated disc) which may or may not be causing foramenal stenosis.

It could be what people call a "slipped disc" The corpus pulposus (sp??) herniates through the spinal canal and puts pressure on the spinal cord. THis can be VERY uncomfortable. Are you having pain? Bladder problems? THe nerves in the lower back control peeing and pooping.

http://www.ajnr.org/cgi/content/full/20/10/1809

Ruptured disc