Interactive Anatomy

See What Causes Vertebrogenic Pain

Vertebrogenic pain comes from the vertebra itself — specifically the endplates and the basivertebral nerve inside the bone. Explore the anatomy below, then step through how this kind of pain is thought to develop.

Boston Scientific Intracept — lateral view of the spine highlighting the basivertebral nerve.

What You'll Learn

Approx. 4–6 min read
  • The key structures: disc, endplate, vertebra, and basivertebral nerve
  • How everyday wear can lead to vertebrogenic pain, step by step
  • Where these changes can appear on an MRI
  • How this connects to the BVNA procedure
Explore the Structures

The Anatomy of a Spinal Segment

Select a point to learn what each structure does and why it matters in vertebrogenic pain.

Labeled lateral diagram of a spinal segment identifying the disc, vertebral endplate, vertebra, and basivertebral nerve.
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Intervertebral disc
The disc sits between two vertebrae and acts as a shock absorber. Over time it can lose water and height, cushioning the spine less and passing more stress to the endplates.
1Intervertebral disc2Vertebral endplate3Vertebra4Basivertebral nerve
How It Develops

How Vertebrogenic Pain Develops

Follow the vertebral endplate from a healthy spine to the moment the basivertebral nerve carries a pain signal. Use the steps, arrows, or arrow keys to move through the sequence.

  1. 1Healthy disc
  2. 2Degeneration
  3. 3Endplate damage
  4. 4Inflammation
  5. 5Pain signal
Healthy spinal segment with a magnified inset of a normal, well-hydrated intervertebral disc and intact vertebral endplates.
Stage 1 / 5
Healthy disc

A healthy disc cushions the spine

Between each pair of vertebrae sits an intervertebral disc that acts as a shock absorber. A healthy disc is well hydrated, and the vertebral endplates — the thin layers of tissue covering the top and bottom of each vertebral body — are smooth and intact.

This image sequence follows the endplate up close. For an animated, scroll-driven look at how the discs themselves change over time, see Could My Pain Be Vertebrogenic?

Spinal segment with a magnified T2-weighted MRI inset showing the vertebral endplates, where Modic changes may appear.
On Imaging

Where It Shows Up on an MRI

The same vertebral endplates can be examined on an MRI. Changes near the endplates — called Modic changes — are one clue clinicians may weigh alongside your history and examination.

  • MRI looks at the vertebral endplates, where vertebrogenic changes occur.
  • Modic Type 1 and Type 2 are two endplate patterns clinicians may look for.
  • Imaging is one piece of the picture — never a diagnosis on its own.
In Summary

Four Structures, One Pain Pathway

Vertebrogenic pain is best understood as a chain: wear on the disc stresses the endplates, the endplates become inflamed, and the basivertebral nerve carries that signal.

Disc

The shock absorber that wears down with everyday living.

Endplate

The tissue layer that becomes damaged and inflamed.

MRI clue

Modic changes that may be visible near the endplates.

Basivertebral nerve

The pathway that carries the pain — and the BVNA target.

Continue Your Learning

Keep exploring the educational library at your own pace.

Ready to Understand Your Own Pain?

If this sounds like your experience, an evaluation can help determine what may be contributing to your chronic low back pain.