Cervical Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (Herniated Cervical Disk; Ruptured Cervical Disk; Prolapsed Intervertebral Disk) By Peter J Moley, MD, Hospital for Special Surgery Reviewed / Revised Oct 2022 View Patient Education Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Key Points Topic Resources Herniated Nucleus Pulposus Herniated nucleus pulposus is prolapse of an intervertebral disk through a tear in the surrounding annulus fibrosus.