Schmorls nodes  are protrusions of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc through the vertebral body endplate and into the adjacent vertebra. Signs and symptoms
These are protrusions of disc material into the surface of the vertebral body, which may contact the marrow of the vertebra and lead to inflammation. The protrusions are also associated with necrosis of the vertebral bone and the question of whether these protrusions and inflammation cause the necrosis, or whether the cartilage migrates into areas that have become necrotic due to other conditions, is under investigation.They may or may not be symptomatic, and their link to back pain is controversial. Williams and colleagues  note that this relationship may be due to lumbar disc disease, as the two commonly occur simultaneously. Causes
Schmorls nodes are fairly common, especially with minor degeneration of the aging spine, but they are also seen in younger spines. Schmorls nodes often cause no symptoms, but may simply reflect that "wear and tear" of the spine has occurred over time; they may also reflect that bone strength was at one time somewhat compromised, perhaps due to a vitamin D deficiency although this has yet to be confirmed with studies, or if heavy lifting is done at a young age before the vertebral bodies are completely ossified such as in young farm workers. There is also a strong heritability of Schmorls Nodes (>70%). While often non-complicating, Schmorls nodes also tend to occur more often in cases of spinal deformity, specifically Scheuermanns disease.
Hereditary benign intraepithelial dyskeratosis is a rare autosomal dominant disease of the conjunctiva and the oral mucosa caused by a duplication of chromosome 4q35. In the mouth it appears similar to white sponge nevus, with painless, diffuse, folded and spongy white plaques. In the eye it appears as gelatinous plaques on bulbar perilimbal conjunctiva. == References ==