Table 1.

Grading system for cervical intervertebral disc degeneration

Grade	Nucleus signal intensity	Nucleus structure	Distinction of nucleus and annulus	Disc height
1	Hyperintense	Homogeneous, white	Clear	Normal
2	Hyperintense	Inhomogeneous with horizontal band, white	Clear	Normal
3	Intermediate	Inhomogeneous, gray to black	Unclear	Normal to decreased
4	Hypointense	Inhomogeneous, gray to black	Lost	Normal to decreased
5	Hypointense	Inhomogeneous, gray to black	Lost	Collapsed