Sensory nerve fibres from lumbar intervertebral discs pass through rami communicantes

• DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.80b4.0800737
• Publication Date: 2018-02-21T11:52:18Z
• Authors: K. Suseki; Y. Takahashi; K. Takahashi; T. Chiba; M. Yamagata; H. Moriya
• Keywords: Intervertebral disk

It has been thought that lumbar intervertebral discs were innervated segmentally. We have previously shown the L5-L6 disc in rat is bilaterally from L1 and L2 dorsal root ganglia through paravertebral sympathetic trunks, but pathways between trunks unknown. now studied spines of 17 rats to elucidate exact pathways. examined serial sections spine using immunohistochemistry for calcitonin gene-related peptide, a sensory nerve marker. showed these fibres ran sinuvertebral into rami communicantes, not corresponding segmental spinal nerve. In rat, information conducted communicantes. If this innervation pattern applies man, simple decompression will relieve discogenic pain. Anterior interbody fusion, with denervation may be effective such low back