Question

A 45-year-old woman has had mild pain over her left lower back that radiates to her left lower limb, for the past 2 years. After lifting a heavy case of soft drinks, the pain intensified and she was admitted. Radiographic examination revealed disk herniation between vertebral levels L4 and L5. Which nerve was most likely affected by the disk herniation?
A. L1.
B. L2.
C. L3.
D. L4.
E. L5.

Answer 1

Answer: L5

Explanation: Disc herniation refers to the process in which disc material is locally displaced beyond the intervertebral disc space limits.

Disk herniation posterolaterally brings about ipsilateral nerve root compression, as it exceeds the dural sac.

However, a posterolateral disc herniation of the L4 to L5 intervertebral disk results in of the L5 root compression.