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Chapter B2 Fibrocartilage

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Handbook of Biomaterial Properties

Abstract

The human menisci and intervertebral discs perform several important mechanical functions in the human body. The ability to perform these functions and consequently their intrinsic biomechanical properties are dependent on the interaction of the constituents of these structures. Both the menisci and intervertebral discs have a fibrocartilaginous structure that consists of two distinct phases: a fluid phase consisting of mainly water and dissolved electrolytes, and a solid phase composed of highly oriented collagen fibers, cells, proteoglycans and other proteins. As with all other biological materials, both menisci and discs exhibit non-linear viscoelastic and anisotropic properties. The non-linear stiffness or elasticity of the structure is imparted by the collagen fibers and to a lesser extent by osmotic pressures within the tissue which are generated by the degree of hydration [1, 2]. The viscoelastic or energy dissipation properties are a result of fluid flow within and through the structures and also of molecular relaxation effects from the motion of long chains of collagen and proteoglycans [3]. Anisotropy is a consequence of the orientation and concentration of collagen fibers within the proteoglycan gel.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioengineering 401 Rhodes Eng. Res. Ctr., Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634-0905, USA

    V. M. Gharpuray

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  1. V. M. Gharpuray
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin Department of Biomedical Engineering and, MADISON, Wisconsin, USA

    William Murphy

  2. King of Prussia, Principal: IMN Biomaterials King of Prussia, King of Prussia, PA, New York, USA

    Jonathan Black

  3. Staffordshire University (Emeritus), Lyme, Staffordshire, United Kingdom

    Garth Hastings

Additional Reading

Additional Reading

Ghosh, P. (ed.) (1988) The Biology of the Intervertebral Disc, Vol I and II, CRC Press, Boca Raton.

One of the most comprehensive texts available about the intervertebral disc. It is written from the biological perspective, and contains exhaustive information about each component of the disc. Volume I includes chapters on disc structure and development, vasculature, innervation, collagen and non-collagenous proteins. Volume II contains information on nutrition and metabolism, mechanics, pathology and disease states.

Mow, V.C., Arnoczky, S.P. and Jackson, D.W. (1992) Knee Meniscus: Basic and Clinical Foundations. Raven Press, New York.

This monograph is designed to serve as a comprehensive reference for clinicians and researchers interested in the meniscus. It includes chapters on gross anatomy, structure and function of the menisci and their mechanical behavior, pathological disorders, clinical and surgical methods of treatment and meniscal disorders.

Mow, V.C. and Hayes, W.C. (1991) Basic Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Raven Press, New York.

This book is aimed at teaching senior engineering students or orthopaedic residents the fundamental principles of biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. The book contains several chapters on the mechanics of joints, and the properties and functions of joint tissues. The chapter devoted to articular cartilage and the meniscus includes a review of collagen-proteoglycan interactions, and how these directly affect the mechanical behavior of the tissue. The biphasic and the triphasic theories for the viscoelastic properties are also discussed.

White, A.A. and Panjabi, M.M., (1990) Clinical Biomechanics of the Spine, J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia.

An excellent reference book for an engineer or a physician interested in the spine. Each topic is written from the viewpoint of a biomechanician and the topics covered include kinetics and kinematics of vertebral joints, pathological disorders of the spine and their surgical management. Chapter 1 contains an introductory section on the intervertebral disc that describes its structure, function and biomechanics.

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Gharpuray, V.M. (2016). Chapter B2 Fibrocartilage. In: Murphy, W., Black, J., Hastings, G. (eds) Handbook of Biomaterial Properties. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-3305-1_5

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