Intraspongious disc hernation (Schmorl’s node) in Phocoena phocoena and Lagenorhynchus albirostris (Mammalia: Cetacea, Odontoceti)

In this article five cases of intraspongious vertebral herniation of the nucleus pulposus (Schmorl's node) in harbour porpoises Phocoena phocoena and one in a white-beaked dolphin Lagenorhynchus albiro - stris are described. This condition has not previously been described for any cetacean species. Its etiology is most probably post-traumatic.