Lecture 5 Flashcards
Q: What are the fibrocartilaginous discs between adjacent vertebrae responsible for?
A: They act as shock-absorbing cushions
Q: What proportion of the height of the spine do healthy intervertebral discs (IVDs) in adults account for?
A: Approximately 1/4 of the height of the spine.
Q: How do the differences in anterior and posterior disc thickness contribute to the formation of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar curves when a person is standing upright?
A: They produce the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar curves.
Q: What are some functions of the intervertebral discs (IVDs)?
A: They allow for movement between vertebrae, bear weight, and transmit loads from one vertebral body to the next.
Q: What are some biomechanical requirements of intervertebral discs (IVDs)?
They need to have strength to sustain weight during axial compression, be deformable to accommodate movements, and have strength to resist injury during normal physiological movements.
Q: Are there intervertebral discs (IVDs) at the C0/C1 or C1/C2 levels?
No, there are no intervertebral discs at the C0/C1 or C1/C2 levels.
What type of joint is formed between two vertebrae, and what structures contribute to it?
A symphysis joint is formed between two vertebrae, consisting of the vertebral endplates connected by the intervertebral disc (IVD), which includes the annulus fibrosis (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP), and vertebral endplate.
What are the three parts that make up the structure of an intervertebral disc (IVD)?
The intervertebral disc consists of the annulus fibrosis (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP), and vertebral endplate.
How does the water content of the nucleus pulposus (NP) and the fiber orientation of the annulus fibrosis (AF) affect force transmission and resistance to various loads within the intervertebral disc (IVD)?
Force transmission and resistance to various types of loads depend on the water content of the nucleus pulposus (NP) and the fiber orientation of the annulus fibrosis (AF).
What are proteoglycans, and how do they contribute to the intervertebral disc (IVD)?
Proteoglycans are large protein molecules linked to chains of carbohydrates. They have the capability to attract and retain water, similar to a cotton ball. This water-binding capacity allows for and creates the compression-resisting component of IVDs.
Describe the role of collagen in the intervertebral disc (IVD).
Collagen consists of strands of protein molecules, with the most common types in discs being Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 collagen withstands tensile stresses and is highly concentrated in the annulus, while Type 2 collagen is more elastic and predominates in the nucleus pulposus. Collagen fibers are embedded in a proteoglycan-water gel within the intervertebral disc.
Function of Type 1 collagen
Type 1 collagen withstands tensile stresses
Where is Type 1 collagen highly concentrated?
highly concentrated in the annulus
Function of Type 2
collagen is more elastic
Where is Type 2 collagen highly concentrated?
predominates in the nucleus pulposus
Where are collagen fibres are embedded?
In Proteoglycan-water gel
Where is the Nucleus Pulposus located?
centrally…& also posteriorly in Lx spine
Describe the Nucleus Pulposus.
Semi-fluid mucoid material, gelatinous mass, consistency of toothpaste
Describe the arrangement of Nucleus Pulposus
Hydrophilic proteoglycans with interspersed type 2 collagen; collagen is arranged in a loose irregular meshwork
T or F: The Nucleus Pulposus has a high water content ?
True 80%
Describe the biomechanics of The Nucleus Pulposus.
The fluid nature of the NP allows for deformation under pressure, especially compression. The shape is altered but volume is unchanged. When the NP is deformed, it transmits applied pressure in all direction -> water- balloon
Do blood vessels or nerves penetrate the NP?
No
What is the Annulus Fibrosis?
The Annulus Fibrosis forms the outer boundary of the intervertebral disc and gradually differentiates from the Nucleus Pulposus.
What are the components of the Annulus Fibrosis?
It consists of a narrow outer zone of collagenous fibers and a wider inner zone of fibrocartilage.
Describe the structure of the Annulus Fibrosis.
It has a high collagen to low proteoglycan ratio and is composed of 15-25 distinct layers called lamellae.
How are the collagen fibers arranged within the Annulus Fibrosis?
All collagen fibers within each lamina run in the same direction, while adjacent laminae have fibers running in the opposite direction, providing strength against bending and torsional loads.
What is the significance of the crisscross arrangement of collagen fibers in the Annulus Fibrosis?
It allows the Annulus Fibrosis to withstand high bending and torsional loads.
How are the fibers of the Annulus Fibrosis attached?
The fibers of the Annulus Fibrosis are attached to the cartilaginous endplate, with Sharpey’s fibers extending to the vertebral body, providing stronger peripheral attachment.
What is the variation in thickness of lamellae within the Annulus Fibrosis?
Lamellae are thicker anteriorly and laterally, while the posterior portion is thinner.
How does the Annulus Fibrosis extend fibers and bulge outward?
It can change the angle of the collagen fiber arrangement to extend fibers and bulge outward when under pressure.
What is the role of the Vertebral Endplate?
It binds the intervertebral disc to its vertebral bodies.
How thick are the upper and lower cartilaginous plates of the Vertebral Endplate?
They are approximately 1mm thick.
What function does the Vertebral Endplate serve in nutrient supply to the intervertebral disc?
It permits diffusion and provides the main source of nutrition for the avascular disc.
How does the Vertebral Endplate mediate load transfer between the disc and vertebral bodies?
It facilitates load transfer between the intervertebral disc and vertebral body centrum.
Describe the coverage of the Vertebral Endplate on the adjacent vertebral body.
Each endplate covers almost the entire surface of the adjacent vertebral body, leaving only a narrow rim of bone, called the ring apophysis, around the perimeter of the vertebral body uncovered by cartilage.
What is the mechanical relationship between the Annulus Fibrosis (AF) and Nucleus Pulposus (NP)?
The AF acts as a tight coiled spring, holding the vertebral bodies together against the resistance of the NP, which acts like a ball-bearing made of incompressible gel.
How do the vertebral bodies move in relation to the NP?
Movements are guided by facets, and the vertebral bodies roll over the NP, indicated by +θx and -θx, where θ represents angular displacement.
What is the blood supply situation for intervertebral discs (IVDs) after approximately 8 years?
IVDs have a blood supply for about 8 years, after which they rely on diffusion for nutrition.
How does diffusion play a role in the nutrition of intervertebral discs (IVDs)?
Nutrients are supplied to the IVDs through diffusion via pores in the endplate.
How do intermittent changes in posture affect the internal pressure of intervertebral discs (IVDs)?
Intermittent changes in posture cause fluctuations in internal disc pressure, creating a pumping action within the disc.
What is the role of water influx and outflux in intervertebral disc (IVD) nutrition?
Water influx transports nutrients into the disc, while outflux flushes out waste products, mimicking the function of the circulatory system.
What effect does maintaining a fixed body position over time have on intervertebral disc (IVD) health?
Maintaining a fixed body position over time restricts the pumping action within the disc, potentially leading to negative effects on disc health.
What is imbibition in the context of intervertebral discs (IVDs)?
Imbibition refers to the process of absorbing fluid, particularly water, by the gel-like nucleus pulposus.
How does imbibition differ from diffusion?
Diffusion is a passive process, while imbibition is an active process involving the absorption of fluid by a solid or gel-like substance (NP), often resulting in swelling.
How does movement contribute to imbibition in intervertebral discs (IVDs)?
Movement forces fluids in and out of the discs, similar to squeezing and releasing a sponge, facilitating imbibition.
What happens to the water content of the nucleus pulposus (NP) under significant axial force, such as during standing?
Water contained within the NP escapes into the vertebral body through pores when significant axial force is applied to the spine, such as during standing.
Describe the change in intervertebral disc (IVD) thickness throughout the day and night.
Static pressure maintains the disc during the day, but by night, the NP contains less water, resulting in a thinner disc. This cumulative thinning can amount to 2 cm in a healthy individual.