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Hierarchical Structure of the Intervertebral Disc

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

J. J. Cassidy ,
A. Hiltner  and
E. Baer
J. J. Cassidy
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Polymer Research and Dept. of Macromolecular Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
A. Hiltner
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Polymer Research and Dept. of Macromolecular Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
E. Baer
Affiliation:
Center for Applied Polymer Research and Dept. of Macromolecular Science, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106
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Abstract

The intervertebral disc is a complex hierarchical structure composed of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus which are anchored to the vertebral bodies by cartilaginous endplates. The hierarchical structure of the collagenous components of the intervertebral disc is characterized using optical microscope techniques. In the lamellae of the annulus, collagen fibers exhibit a planar crimped morphology similar to that seen in other collagenous tissues. A model of the intervertebral disc has been developed that incorporates the structure of the collagen fibers on the macro- and microscopic scales.

Mechanical testing in load-deflection, stress relaxation, and creep modes reveals the response at each level of organization to compression. These mechanical data are analyzed with models that reflect the hierarchical composite structure.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 174: Symposium R – Materials Synthesis Utilizing Biological Processes , 1989 , 145
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1990

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References

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