What characterizes a pedunculated disc protrusion?

What characterizes a pedunculated disc protrusion?

• A. Peripheral herniated material is larger than its attachment site
• B. The base is larger than the herniated portion
• C. The fragment remains attached to the parent disc but not beyond annulus
• D. It is entirely detached from the disc

Answer: (A)

Pedunculated means the herniated piece of disc material is connected to the main disc by a narrow stalk, with the portion that extends outward being larger than that attachment. In other words, the peripheral mass is bigger than its base, giving it a stem-like appearance. This distinguishes it from a sessile protrusion, where the base is as wide as or wider than the herniated portion, and from extrusion/sequestration, where the material is no longer attached or has fully breached the annulus.

Pedunculated means the herniated piece of disc material is connected to the main disc by a narrow stalk, with the portion that extends outward being larger than that attachment. In other words, the peripheral mass is bigger than its base, giving it a stem-like appearance. This distinguishes it from a sessile protrusion, where the base is as wide as or wider than the herniated portion, and from extrusion/sequestration, where the material is no longer attached or has fully breached the annulus.