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Morphological cervical disc analysis applied to traumatic and degenerative lesions
J Tonetti1, L Potton, R Riboud
1Orthopedic and Trauma Department, Michallon University Hospital, BP 217, 38043 Grenoble Cedex 09, France. JTonetti@chu-grenoble.fr
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy : SRA
|February 1, 2005
Summary
The ventral annulus fibrosus in lower cervical discs is thick, unlike lumbar discs, and functions like a pivot-hinge. This finding impacts understanding of cervical spine injuries and degeneration.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Biomechanics
- Spine Surgery
Background:
- Cervical disc anatomy is often described similarly to lumbar discs, despite differing pathologies.
- Previous research questioned the classical description of the ventral annulus fibrosus.
Purpose of the Study:
- To perform a metric analysis of lower cervical disc components.
- To examine the description of the ventral annulus fibrosus as a crescent-shaped ligament.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 140 sagittal and coronal transections from 35 lower cervical discs (C2-C7).
- Quantitative measurements of disc dimensions, annulus thickness, fibrocartilage, and clefts.
- Qualitative assessment of endplate degeneration and intra-disc clefts.
Main Results:
- The ventral annulus fibrosus was thick, lateral annulus thin, and dorsal annulus very thin.
- Fibrocartilaginous tissue occupied the dorsal half of the disc.
- Intra-disc clefts rarely extended into the ventral annulus.
Conclusions:
- The ventral annulus fibrosus in the lower cervical spine has a unique shape, functioning as a pivot-hinge.
- This morphology is relevant for understanding teardrop fractures, locked facet syndrome, and unco-vertebral degeneration.