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Related Concept Videos

Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction01:27

Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction

Degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition in which intervertebral discs gradually lose structure and function. It is not infectious or autoimmune; rather, it results from age-related biochemical and mechanical changes, influenced by genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors.Structure and Function of DiscsThe spine contains 23 intervertebral discs that absorb load, distribute forces, maintain spacing, and allow flexibility. Each disc consists of a nucleus pulposus, a gel-like core...
Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology

The symptoms of degenerative disc disease arise from a combination of mechanical compression, vascular compromise, and biochemical inflammation, which together disrupt nerve function and produce pain.Mechanical CompressionDisc degeneration reduces height and elasticity, predisposing to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a major cause of radicular pain. Herniations may be protrusion (bulging with intact annulus), extrusion (nucleus extends beyond disc but remains connected), or sequestration...
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction01:29

Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction

Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...
General Structure of a Vertebra01:30

General Structure of a Vertebra

A typical vertebra, with the exception of the sacrum and coccyx, consists of a body, a vertebral arch, and seven different projections termed processes. The anterior portion of the vertebrae, the body, supports about half the body’s weight. The vertebral bodies progressively increase in size and thickness from the cervical region to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. The intervertebral discs present between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae firmly unites them, forming a continuous column.
Bone Disorders01:29

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints01:17

Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints

As the name indicates, at a cartilaginous joint, the adjacent bones are united by cartilage, a tough but flexible type of connective tissue. Unlike synovial joints, these types of joints lack a joint cavity and involve bones joined together by either hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage.
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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration
06:22

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration

Published on: July 8, 2021

Can vertebral density changes be explained by intervertebral disc degeneration?

Jasper Homminga1, Rene Aquarius, Vera E Bulsink

  • 1Laboratory for Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, The Netherlands. J.Homminga@utwente.nl

Medical Engineering & Physics
|September 7, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Disc degeneration, particularly nucleus dehydration, significantly alters vertebral bone density, increasing fracture risk in elderly spines. This bone remodeling explains how disc issues and osteoporosis synergistically contribute to vertebral fractures.

More Related Videos

A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.
05:46

A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.

Published on: February 14, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration
06:22

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration

Published on: July 8, 2021

A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.
05:46

A Proinflammatory, Degenerative Organ Culture Model to Simulate Early-Stage Intervertebral Disc Disease.

Published on: February 14, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Orthopedics
  • Gerontology

Background:

  • Elderly vertebral fractures are often linked to low bone mass and osteoporosis.
  • Disc degeneration is increasingly recognized as a potential contributing factor to vertebral fractures.
  • Existing biomechanical models may not fully capture the interplay between disc health and bone adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the biomechanical effects of disc degeneration on vertebral bone adaptation.
  • To simulate how changes in disc properties influence bone density and fracture risk.
  • To explore the role of nucleus versus annulus degeneration in bone remodeling.

Main Methods:

  • A finite element model of a lumbar spinal segment was developed and calibrated.
  • Disc properties were systematically altered to simulate healthy and degenerated states (including nucleus dehydration).
  • Bone adaptation and resulting density changes were simulated under these varied disc conditions.

Main Results:

  • Disc degeneration shifted mechanical load from the nucleus to the annulus.
  • Simulated degeneration, especially nucleus dehydration, led to reduced trabecular core density and increased vertebral wall density.
  • Annulus degeneration had a less pronounced effect on bone density compared to nucleus degeneration.

Conclusions:

  • Simulated disc degeneration, particularly nucleus dehydration, causes bone density changes consistent with clinical observations.
  • Bone remodeling theories can explain the synergistic contribution of disc degeneration and osteoporosis to vertebral fractures.
  • These findings highlight the importance of disc health in maintaining vertebral integrity in aging populations.