Schmorl's node

An upward and downward protrusion (pushing into) of a spinal disk's soft tissue into the bony tissue of the adjacent vertebrae (the bony building blocks of the spine).

Schmorl's nodes are detectable with an x-ray test as a spine abnormality.

Schmorl's nodes are most common in the middle and lower spine.

Schmorl's nodes are common, especially with minor degeneration of the aging spine.

Schmorl's nodes usually cause no symptoms, but reflect that 'wear and tear' of the spine has occurred over time.

Schmorl's nodes are a helpful x-ray finding as an indicator of degenerative process that may be affecting a patient's spine.