Morphometric changes in the heights and anteroposterior diameters of the lumbar intervertebral discs with age

Abstract

The mechanical properties of the intervertebral discs largely determine the mode and amount of transmission of forces from one vertebra to another (Park, 1980; Shah, 1980). The integrity of the structure and the functional efficiency of the disc in turn depend on the biochemical and histological (fibrillar) composition of both the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus (Chapchal, Fries, Baumann & Muller, 1966; Humzah & Soames, 1988). Impairment of the mechanical properties of the disc is known to predispose to low back pain.