Final answer:
The intervertebral foramina are openings between vertebrae for spinal nerves, while intervertebral discs between vertebrae provide cushioning and enable movement, consisting of an anulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus.
Step-by-step explanation:
The intervertebral foramina are openings that are formed between adjacent vertebrae and serve as the exit path for the spinal nerves. Between most adjacent vertebrae, you can find an intervertebral disc, which is critical for providing padding, absorbing shocks, and facilitating movement. Each disc consists of an anulus fibrosus, which is the tough outer layer, and the nucleus pulposus, which is a gel-like center that allows the disc to withstand compression and torsion.
Intervertebral discs vary in thickness in different regions of the spine, being thinner in the cervical region and thickest in the lumbar region, where they need to support more body weight. These discs contribute to about 25 percent of an individual's overall body height from the base of the skull to the top of the pelvis.