Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Precision Measurements and Parametric Models of Vertebral Endplates
Published on: September 17, 2019
Role of endplates in contributing to compression behaviors of motion segments and intervertebral discs
Jeffrey J MacLean1, Julia P Owen, James C Iatridis
1Spine Bioengineering Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 231B Votey Building, 33 Colchester Avenue, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to gain an improved understanding of the mechanical behavior of the intervertebral disc in the presence and absence of the vertebral endplates. Mechanical behaviors of rat caudal motion segments, vertebrae and isolated disc explants under two different permeability conditions were investigated and viscoelastic behaviors were evaluated using a stretched-exponential function to describe creep and recovery behaviors. The results demonstrated that both vertebrae and discs underwent significant deformations in the motion segment even under relatively low-loading conditions. Secondly, disruption of the collagenous network had minimal impact on equilibrium deformations of disc explants as compared to disc deformations occurring in the motion segments provided that vertebral deformations were accounted for; however, differences in endplate permeability conditions had a significant effect on viscoelastic behaviors. Creep occurred more quickly than recovery for motion segment and explant specimens. In addition, disc explants and motion segments both exhibited non-recoverable deformations under axial compression under low- and high-loading conditions. Results have important implications for interpreting the role of vertebral endplates in contributing to disc mechanical behaviors and direct application to mechanobiology studies involving external loading to rodent tail intervertebral discs.
Related Concept Videos
Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary or...
Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction
Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology
General Structure of a Vertebra
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
Articulations of the Vertebral Column
