Intervertebral Disc Annulus Fibrous/Cartilaginous End Plates and TransitionZone Flashcards
What is the apperance of the cervical annulus fibrous?
a horse shoe with anterior margin thick and the lateral margins tapering to the uncinate processes; the posterior margin is thin
What compensates for the thinness of the posterior part of the cervical annulus fibrous?
posterior longitudinal ligament
What is the organization of the lumbar annulus fibrous?
it has 12-14 concentric cylindrical lamellae
What is the water concentration in the lumbar annulus fibrosus at birth and after thrity?
birth…78%; thirty…70%
What is the organizational pattern for glycosaminoglycans in the lumbar annulus fibrosus?
they typically have a binding site for hyularonic acid and are thus aggregated
Which type of collagen is dominant in the annulus fibrosus?
collagen type I
What is the organizational pattern for collagen fibers in the annulus fibrosus?
they are parallel with one another in a single lamellus and angled
What is the organization of collagen fibers between lamellae?
collagen fibers will be angled in the opposite direction such that a spiral - counterspiral organization is observed
What is the average angle of collagen fibers with the annulus fibrosus?
they average 50 to 60 degrees
What is the origin for the cells of the annulus fibrosus?
sclerotomites
What part of the vertebral body will the cartilage end plate cover?
the cancellous bone at the top or bottom of the vertebral body
What is the principal type of collagen fiber within the cartilage end plate?
the type II collagen fiber
What is the direction of collagen fibers within the cartilage end plate?
collagen fibers are aligned anterior to posterior
What is the earliest indicatior of intervertebral disc pathology or degeneration?
changes in the histology of the cartilage end plate
What is the area of maximum metabolic activity in the intervertebral disc?
the transition zone
