Vertebral end-plate changes with aging of human vertebrae

The present study describes the sequential age changes within the growth and articular layers of the cartilaginous end-plates of vertebrae from humans varying in age from birth to 73 years. There is a gradual reduction in the width of the growth cartilage up to 16-20 years of age. During adulthood a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Spine (Philadelphia, Pa. 1976) Pa. 1976), 1982-03, Vol.7 (2), p.97-102
Main Authors: Bernick, S, Cailliet, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aging
Cartilage, Articular - cytology
Cartilage, Articular - metabolism
Child
Child, Preschool
Collagen - metabolism
Female
Glycosaminoglycans - metabolism
Histocytochemistry
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Intervertebral Disc - blood supply
Intervertebral Disc - cytology
Intervertebral Disc - metabolism
Lumbar Vertebrae - blood supply
Lumbar Vertebrae - cytology
Lumbar Vertebrae - metabolism
Male
Middle Aged
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The present study describes the sequential age changes within the growth and articular layers of the cartilaginous end-plates of vertebrae from humans varying in age from birth to 73 years. There is a gradual reduction in the width of the growth cartilage up to 16-20 years of age. During adulthood and progressing into old age (60-73 years), the end-plates consist of only articular cartilage which undergoes calcification followed by resorption and replacement by bone. Age changes are observed in the arterioles, capillaries, and venules found in the nutrient canals or spaces of the bone adjacent to the cartilage or disc. The calcification of the articular cartilage and vascular changes seen in the older vertebrae would impede the passage of nutrients from the blood to the disc proper. Collagen fibers are observed arising from the older vertebral end-plates to course into the midregion of the disc.
ISSN:0362-2436
DOI:10.1097/00007632-198203000-00002