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The Intervertebral Disc: Overview of Disc Mechanics

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The Intervertebral Disc

Abstract

The intervertebral disc is the soft tissue between the vertebral bodies. The disc function is to transmit multi-directional loads through the spine and to allow relative motion between the vertebral bodies. The intervertebral disc is composed of three distinct tissues: nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and the cartilaginous endplates. Each of these tissues has a characteristic composition and structure which provide them with unique mechanical properties. The interaction between these tissues enables the intervertebral disc to perform its function. The objective of this chapter is to describe the mechanical behavior of the individual disc tissues and then discuss how they work together in physiological loading scenarios. In addition, the effects of degeneration on the mechanics at the tissue and disc level are described.

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Acknowledgments

This chapter is funded by research grants from the National Institutes of Health R01 AR 050052, R21 AR061751, and R01 EB 002425.

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  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, 125 E Delaware Avenue, Newark, DE, 19716, USA

    Daniel H. Cortes & Dawn M. Elliott PhD

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  1. Daniel H. Cortes
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  2. Dawn M. Elliott PhD
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Correspondence to Dawn M. Elliott PhD .

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  1. Jefferson Medical College Div Ortho Rsch/Dept Othro Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Irving M. Shapiro

  2. Jefferson Medical College Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

    Makarand V. Risbud

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© 2014 Springer-Verlag Wien

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Cortes, D.H., Elliott, D.M. (2014). The Intervertebral Disc: Overview of Disc Mechanics. In: Shapiro, I., Risbud, M. (eds) The Intervertebral Disc. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1535-0_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1535-0_2

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-7091-1534-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-7091-1535-0

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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