Broad based moderate sized disk protusion with mass effect in the left neural foramen at L2-L3

Question

what is this

Answer 1

Its a spinal disc protrusion.

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Answer 2

A protrusion is fluid that has pushed its way through some of the walls of the disc.  There are multiple walls of the disc and they are arranged like the walls of a radial tire so that each wall can act on a specific stress.  If the protrusion had gone all the way through the walls it would be a herniation.  The board based moderate mass means that the fluid is of moderate size and that is a term that is somewhat up to the interpreting radiologist, it resides on the left side of the canal where the spinal nerves are located.  A foramen is an opening in the vertebrae where the nerves travel outward.  The L2-L3 is a designation as to what level in the spine the mass is located.  In this case the pain would be on the left side mostly around the hip and back regions.  In other words the nerves that exit at that level are being pushed against creating the pain or numbness that is being felt.