Abstract
The intervertebral disk consists of three components: cartilaginous endplate (hyaline cartilage), nucleus pulposus (fibrocartilage with ground substance containing hyaluronic acid and glycosaminoglycans), and anulus fibrosus (inner part contains fibrocartilage, while the outer part has dense fibrous lamellae with fibers, called Sharpey fibers, that insert on the vertebral ring apophysis). The inner part of the anulus and the nucleus pulposis are indistinguishable on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the normal adult disk, a hypointense band or cleft is observed at the center of the nucleus pulposus and inner anulus on T2-weighted sagittal images and has been attributed to a higher concentration of collagen in this region of the disk. The adult disk normally lacks innervation and vascularity.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Bowen BC (2001) Spine imaging: case review. Mosby, Philadelphia
Pfirrmann CW, Metzdorf A, Zanetti M, Hodler J, Boos N (2001) Magnetic resonance classification of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration. Spine 26:1873–1878
Tanaka N, An HS, Lim TH, Fujiwara A, Jeon CH, Haughton VM (2001) The relationship between disc degeneration and flexibility of the lumbar spine. Spine J 1:47–56
Czervionke LF, Haughton VM (2002) Degenerative disease of the spine. In: Atlas SW (ed) Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine, 3rd edn. Lippincott Williams Wilkins, Philadelphia, pp 1633–1713
Fardon DE, Milette PC (2001) Nomenclature and classification of lumbar disc pathology: recommendations of the combined task forces of the North American Spine Society, American Society of Spine Radiology, and American Society of Neuroradiology. Spine 26:E93–E113
Schellinger D, Manz HJ, Vidic B, Patronas NJ, Deveikis JP, Muraki AS, Abdullah DC (1990) Disk fragment migration. Radiology 175:831–836
Lane JI, Koeller KK, Atkinson LD (1994) Enhanced lumbar nerve roots in the spine without prior surgery: radiculitis or radicular veins? AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 15:1317–1325
Wagner AL, Murtagh FR, Arlington JA, Stallworth D (2000) Relationship of Schmorl’s nodes to vertebral body endplate fractures and acute endplate disk extrusions. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 21:276–281
Lee TT, Manzano GR, Green BA (1997) Modified open-door cervical expansive laminoplasty for spondylotic myelopathy: operative technique, outcome, and predictors for gait improvement. J Neurosurg 86:64–68
Ross JS (1999) MR imaging of the postoperative lumbar spine. Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am 7:513–524
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2004 Springer-Verlag Italia
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Bowen, B.C. (2004). Degenerative Diseases of the Spine. In: von Schulthess, G.K., Zollikofer, C.L. (eds) Diseases of the Brain, Head and Neck, Spine. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2131-0_27
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2131-0_27
Publisher Name: Springer, Milano
Print ISBN: 978-88-470-0251-7
Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2131-0
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive