I would like to know in laymans term what the following means
HI, thanks for using Chat Doctor Between the vertebra there are discs called intervertebral discs. These discs are composed of 2 main areas, the inner aspect is called the nucleus pulposus and an outer aspect called the fibrosis which surrounds it. The disc is gel like, as person age, it loses some of its water content and small tears can occur. Your results state that there is protrusion of the disc between lumbar vertebra 3 and 4. This protruded disc (pushed out) is narrowing the neural fora min (this is a passage way for spinal nerves). There is also protrusion between L 4 and L5. The facet joints are where the vertebra meet. Facet joint hypertrophy means increased size of this area. One cause is arthritis. These changes would definitely contribute to your back pain. You should consider a specialist, physiotherapy may also help. I hope this helps