Cervical spine degeneration. Colour-converted sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan through a human head and neck, showing severe disc degeneration at the C6/7 vertebral joint. The image plane passes vertically through the centre of the body, with the front of the head at left. The vertebrae (orange) of the spine are separated by intervertebral discs (green). The spinal cord (yellow) runs down the centre of the backbone, enclosed by the vertebrae. The degeneration (centre) is visible as bony spurs (osteophytes) protruding either side of the vertebral column, and pressing on the spinal cord. The brain is also seen within the skull at top.