Prolapse and bulge have different meanings in spinal surgery, urology, obstetrics and gynecology.
1. In spinal surgery, a bulging disc means that the annulus fibrosus is damaged but not ruptured, and the nucleus pulposus protrudes slightly but remains within the annulus fibrosus. Prolapse refers to the rupture of the annulus fibrosus, and the nucleus pulposus falls out of the rupture opening into the spinal canal.
2. In urology, bladder bulge refers to the protrusion of the bladder into the front wall due to the loss of muscular tissue support, which cannot be restored to its original normal position. Prolapse refers to the detachment of part or all of the bladder through the external urethral orifice.
3. In obstetrics and gynecology, uterine prolapse or bulge refers to the uterus falling from its normal position, with the external cervical opening reaching the level of the sciatic spine, or even continuing to fall and detach from the vaginal opening. Vaginal prolapse or bulging refers to the loss of support of the vagina due to injury to the pelvic floor muscles, fascia and ligaments, which cannot be restored to its normal position and is exposed outside the vaginal opening.