Can you tell me what is a broad based disc protrusion with paracentral annular tear?

Disc bulge and parac: That means tear at ligamnet with bulge of the disk between the spines, not yet prolapsed but it may happen with heavy lifting or trauma, the key is wheather there is nerve impingmnet or radiculopathy, or affection of muscle power of legs. It may be manageble by NSAID like Naproxen and physical therapy but definitly needs eval by neurosurgeon first.

Bulging: The disc is composed of 2 parts; the outter tough annulus & inner soft nucleus. They serve as shock absorbers between 2 vertebra & assist in guiding motion. A protrusion is a bulging of the disc when there is weakness of the annulus. The annulus weakness may result in tears of the layers of the annulus that are called fissures. Weakness of the annulus may lead to the nucleus material oozing out.

Herniation with Tear: The disc is like a jelly filled donut. If the donut is compressed too much the jelly leaks out through a break in the donut's bread. The same is true with a disc, the tear is caused by the compression resulting in a herniation (protrusion) and the jelly (inside portion of the disc) is either leaking out or trying to get out.