Intervertebral Disc: Nucleus Pulposus

Question 1

What is the contribution of the nucleus pulposus to intevertebral disc cross-section area?

Answer 1

about 40%

Question 2

What is the cervical nucleus pulposus composed of?

Answer 2

fibrocartilage

Question 3

What is the water concentration in the lumbar nucleus pulposus at birth and after 30?

Answer 3

• birth: 88%

- after 30: 70%

Question 4

What is the organizational pattern for glycosaminoglycans in the lumbar nucleus pulposus?

Answer 4

they typically lack a binding site for hyaluronic acid and are thus non-aggregated

Question 5

What is the consequence of non-aggregated glycosaminoglycans in the lumbar nucleus pulposus?

Answer 5

the nucleus pulposus will lose water under deformation conditions

Question 6

What cell is associated with the nucleus pulposus until about age 11?

Answer 6

notochord cells

Question 7

What cells are associated with the mature nucleus pulposus?

Answer 7

reticulocyte-fibroblast and chondroblast

Question 8

Which type of collagen is dominant in the nucleus pulposus?

Answer 8

collagen type II

Question 9

What is the organizational pattern for collagen fibers in the nucleus pulposus?

Answer 9

they are irregularly oriented and randomly scattered

Question 10

What general tissue location is described as having an abundance of collagen type II fibers?

Answer 10

cartilage

Question 11

What is the role of collagen type II fibers based on locations where it is dominant?

Answer 11

it appears to be related to tissues having a deformation-reformation ability