Scans and X-rays
What Does Herniation Mean on a Spine MRI?
Herniation · say it: her-nee-AY-shunAlso written: herniated disc, disc herniation, disc protrusion, disc extrusion, slipped disc (informal)
Short answer
A herniation is when part of something pushes out through a weak spot. On spine scans it usually means disc material pushing out of place.
What it means
Herniation means tissue pushing through an opening or weak area where it would not normally be. The word is used for discs in the spine and also for hernias elsewhere, such as in the groin or abdomen.
In the spine, each disc has a tough outer ring and a softer centre. In a disc herniation, some of the inner material pushes out through the outer ring. Reports may use words such as "protrusion" or "extrusion" to describe its shape.
A disc herniation can press on a nearby nerve and cause pain, numbness or weakness, but it can also be found in people with no symptoms. Many improve over time.
Where you may see it
- Spine MRI and CT reports
- Abdominal and groin imaging reports (for other hernias)
- Orthopaedic and neurosurgery letters
📄 How it looks on a report
L5-S1: Right paracentral disc extrusion contacting the right S1 nerve root.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It does not always need surgery. Many disc herniations settle with time and non-surgical care.
- It does not mean the whole disc has slipped out. Only part of the disc material has moved.
- Its size on the scan does not always match how much pain someone has.
🎯 Check yourself
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🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
🧾 Reports where you will see “Herniation”
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🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Herniation” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- RadiologyInfo.org ↗
Radiological Society of North America and American College of Radiology
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General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.