Regional variation in tensile properties and biochemical composition of the human lumbar anulus fibrosus

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Skaggs, D. L.¹; Weidenbaum, M.¹; Iatridis, J. C.¹; Ratcliffe, A.¹; Mow, V. C.¹

Regional variation in tensile properties and biochemical composition of the human lumbar anulus fibrosus

Spine. June 15, 1994;19(12):1310-1319

©1994 J. B. Lippincott Company

Affiliations

¹Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, New York
Abstract and keywords

Study Design: The structure-function relationship of anulus fibrosus of nondegenerate lumba intervertebral discs was investigated.

Objectives: The tensile properties and biochemical composition of single lamella specimens from human anulus librosus and their variations with anatomic region were determined.

Summery of Background Data: Regional differences in composition and ultrastructure suggest differences in tensile properties.

Methods: Single lamella specimens were isolated from the anulus, equilibrated in 0.15 ± NaCl and tested in uniaxial tension using a slow strain-rate protocol. Adjacent specimens were used to determine biochemical composition (Including nycration, collagen, proteonlycan, and hydroxypyridinium crosslink density). Tensile properties, biochemical composition, and anatomic location were compared.

Results: Significant radial and circumferential variations in tensile properties of anulus were detected, with the anterior being, stiffer than the posterolateral regions, and the outer being stiffer than the inner regions.

Conclusions: The regional differences in tensile properties may result predominantly from structural rather than compositional variations and may contribute to the clinical frequency of anulus failure in the postarolateral region.

Keywords: anulus fibrosus; mechanical properties; collagen; proteoglycan; disc degeneration
Links

DOI: 10.1097/00007632-199406000-00002

PubMed: 8066509

WoS: A1994NR65500002
History

Accepted: 1993-12-06

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