Logo of The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery (Br)
Quick search:        
          Advanced Search
Guest Access | Sign In
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow My Folders
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Smith, J. W.
Right arrow Articles by Walmsley, R.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Smith, J. W.
Right arrow Articles by Walmsley, R.

EXPERIMENTAL INCISION OF THE INTERVERTEBRAL DISC

J. W. Smith 1; and R. Walmsley 1

1 The Bute Department of Anatomy, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland

1. The normal anatomy of the intervertebral disc of immature rabbits is described.

2. An account is given of the changes that occur after an operative incision in the ventral part of the intervertebral discs of rabbits which allowed the escape of the nucleus pulposus. The account is based on observations made on fifty-five young animals killed at intervals during the twenty-five months after operation.

3. The superficial part of the wound in the annulus heals rapidly by active fibrosis. Thereafter there is a chondrification of the ventral region of the disc, followed by ossification. A prominent bony ridge ultimately ankyloses the vertebrae adjoining the disc.

4. The site of the nucleus pulposus is eventually occupied by a dense pad of fibrocartilage. A tongue of this tissue projects into the deep median part of the wound which remains unhealed.

5. A hypothesis is submitted regarding the mechanism of rupture of the annulus fibrosus and prolapse of the nucleus pulposus in man; this hypothesis is based in part on the observations of lesions in discs not subjected to operation.
(c) British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery All Rights Reserved
Registered charity no: 209299     Print ISSN: 0301-620X
Hip, Knee, Trauma, Upper limb, Foot & Ankle, Paediatrics, Oncology, Spine, Arthroplasty, General