pads of gristle which separate the spinal vertebrae and surround and cushion the spinal cord.
fibrous cartilage pads that lie between the spinal vertebrae; each is made up of two parts: a jelly-like center (the nucleus pulposus) that loses moisture with age, and a tough outer ring (the annulus fibrosus) that can split with age or injury.
Cushions of cartilage, located between the vertebrae.