disc Flashcards
What are the structural parts of the disc?
- annulus fibrousus
- nucleus propulsus
- cartilagenous end plate
What are the function of the proteoglycans in disc?
- provided weight bearing properties
- internal lubrication
- provide a matrix for concentration gradients for nutrient exchange
What are proteglycans made of?
- GAG chains of long polysaccaride molecules that may or may not be sulfated
- GAG wrapped around protein core similar to a bottle scrubbing brush
What GAGs are found in the disc?
- Keratin sulfate
- chondrotin 4-/6- sulfate
- hyaluronic acid
What role does hyaluronic acid play in the disc?
- lubrication between collagen
2. fluid transportation for nutrition and waste
How is the collagen content of the disc and annulus different?
nucleus -50-60% proteoglycans -80% collagen which is 80% type II and 0% type I annulus -20% proteglycans -50-60% collagen which is 80% type I
How do the function of type I and Type II collagen differ?
type I- resists tensile forces
type II- resist compressive forces
What are the lamellae of the disc?
- parallel collagen fibers arranged in 10-12 concentric layers
- thickest anterior and laterally
- thinnest posterior
- fibers run at about 30degrees from the vertical and alternate orientation in each successive layer
What are the Sharpys fibers?
outer part of the annulus not covered by the vertebral end plate connected directly to the vertebral body
What is the cellular structure of the cartilagenous end plate?
- Hylanine cartilage on the vertebral body side
2. fibrocartilage on the disc side
How is the cartilagenous end plate attached to the surrounding structures?
- end plate is strongly bound to the disc by extensive collagen attachments
- loosely bound to the vertebral body
What is the vascular supply of the disc and how does it change over time?
- at birth there is a rich vascular supply to the disc
- weight bearing makes pressure too great in the lumbar spine for vessels to survive
- cervical spine can have a direct flood supply until the third decade
- only the arteries from the metaphysial arteries penetrate the outer most fibers of the annulus
How does diffusion into the disc occur?
- pH of GAG rich disc is usually 0.5 lower than surrounding tissues
- the osmolarity is higher than the surrounding fluids
- the fixed negative charge density facilitated by the ionic solutions creates a swelling pressure that imbibes fluid
What processes does the disc use for metabolism?
glycolosis
How are the nutrients moved in and out of the disc?
- occurs through cartilagenous end plates and blood supply of the vertebral body
- smaller nutrients such as oxygen and glucose are moved entirely by diffusion
- loading and unloading mover water, but not nutrients
- there is a steep concentration gradient from vertebral body to nucleus propulsis
How does aging effect diffusion rates of the disc?
- end plate clarification
- proteoglycans become smaller and less effective
- calcification can lead to pores in the end plates large enough for proteglycans to pass through
- cytokinins or other damaging enzymes can pass into the disc from the enlarged pores
What part of the disc in innervated?
- outer third and into the middle third
- pain and degenerative disc can have innervation as much as 2/3 of the the disc or NP, normally the NP has no innervation
How does the disc impact movement of the spine?
- Greater disc height equates to greater segmental ROM
2. loading of the disc increases its stiffness and available ROM
What are the weakest points of the disc when it is loaded?
- the end plates are the weakest point under axial loads
- with movement the posterior lateral AF absorb the greatest force because they are further from the axis of motion
- disc will not prolapse under compression alone and requires some bending in addition to the comprssion