Flashcards in Intervertebral Disc: Annulus Fibrosus Deck (18):
1
What is unusual about the cervical annulus fibrosus?
it lacks any lamellar or layered organization
2
What is the appearance of the cervical annulus fibrosus?
- a horse-shoe with the anterior margin thick and the lateral margin tapering to the uncinate processes
- the posterior margin is thin
3
What compensates for the thinness of the posterior part of the cervical annulus fibrosus?
posterior longitudinal ligament
4
What is the organization of the lumbar annulus fibrosus?
it has 12-14 concentric cylindrical lamellae
5
What is the reason the anterior margin of the lumbar intervertebral disc is less susceptible to rupture, herniation, prolapse, or protrusion?
the anterior margin of each lamellus is thick and the anterior longitudinal ligament is also better developed than the posterior lamellae or posterior longitudinal ligament
6
Why is the posterior part of the lumbar annulus fibrosus more susceptible to rupture, herniation, prolapse, or protrusion?
the posterior margin of the lamellus is thin and the posterior longitudinal ligament is also less developed
7
What is the mechanism for growth of the lumbar annulus fibrosus?
the outside of the lumbar annulus fibrosus adds new lamellae by appositional growth
8
What is the water concentration in the lumbar annulus fibrosus at birth and after 30?
- birth: 78%
- after 30: 70%
9
What is the organizational pattern for glycosaminoglycans in the lumbar annulus fibrosus?
they typically have a binding site for hyaluronic acid and are thus aggregated
10
What is the consequence of aggregated glycosaminoglycans in the lumbar annulus fibrosus?
the annulus fibrosus will retain water under deformation conditions
11
Which type of collagen is dominant in the annulus fibrosus?
collagen type I
12
What is the organizational pattern for collagen fibers in the annulus fibrosus?
they are parallel with one another in a single lamellus and angled
13
What is the organization of collagen fibers between lamellae?
collagen fibers will be angled in the opposite direction such that a spiral-counterspiral organization is observed
14
What is the angle of collagen fibers within the annulus fibrosus?
they average 50 to 60 degrees
15
What is the difference in the angle of collagen fibers within the inner lamellae and outer lamellae of the annulus fibrosus?
- the outer lamellae collagen fibers are more vertical
- the inner lamellae collage fibers are more horizontal
16
What is the attachment site for collagen fibers within the annulus fibrosus?
- collagen fibers of the outer lamellae will become Sharpey's fibers and penetrate the epiphyseal rims
- collagen fibers of the inner lamellae will attach to the cartilaginous end plate
17
What is the origin for the cells of the annulus fibrosus?
sclerotomites
18