Intervertebral disc
An intervertebral disc is a kind of padding between vertebrae in the vertebral column. They are shock absorbers in the spine, and are very important to the health of the spine. The disc is a fibrocartilaginous joint. It allows slight movement of the vertebrae, and acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together.
Discs have an outer fibrous ring, made up of both type I and type II collagen. Type I is concentrated towards the edge of the ring where it provides greater strength. The fibrous intervertebral disc contains the nucleus pulposus and this helps to distribute pressure evenly across the disc.
The nucleus pulposus contains loose fibers suspended in a mucoprotein gel. The nucleus of the disc acts as a shock absorber, absorbing impacts and keeping the two vertebrae separated. It is the remnant of the notochord.[1]
Intervertebral Disc Media
Stages of spinal disc herniation
Micrograph showing a fragment of an intervertebral disc demonstrating degenerative fibrocartilage with loss of nuclei and nests of chondrocytes, as seen in degenerative disc disease. HPS stain.
3D medical animation still shot of scoliosis
Annulus Fibrosus. Animation in the reference.[1]
Artificial intervertebral disc
Posterior longitudinal ligament, in the thoracic region
Median sagittal section through the occipital bone and first three cervical vertebrae
Costovertebral articulations. Anterior view.
Lumbar and sacral plexus. Deep dissection. Anterior view.
References
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