What effect does a herniated disc have on surrounding nerves?

A herniated disc primarily affects surrounding nerves by putting pressure on them. When a disc herniates, it can protrude into the spinal canal and compress adjacent nerve roots. This compression often leads to symptoms such as pain, numbness, and weakness in the areas of the body that the affected nerves supply. The severity of the symptoms can vary depending on the extent of the herniation and the specific nerve roots involved.

The process of a disc herniating usually occurs due to degeneration or injury, which can cause the inner gel-like material of the disc to bulge out through the outer layer, encroaching on the space occupied by nerves. This pressure disrupts normal nerve function and transmission, which is critical for motor control and sensory perception. Thus, the correct choice highlights the relationship between a herniated disc and nerve function, emphasizing that the primary consequence is the pressure exerted on nearby nerves.