Image: Invertebral disc polarised light microscopy image by Claudio Vergari (27177975104)
Description: The intervertebral disc is an organ tucked between each couple of vertebrae in the spine; it undergoes severe and repeated loading during everyday life activities, since it gives the spine its flexibility. The disc has a complex microstructure: the outer layer of the disc, the “annulus fibrosus”, is made of concentric layers of fibrous tissue. This image, obtained with polarized light microscopy, shows a sample of annulus prepared so that it shows this alternation of fibre alignment. This sophisticated microstructure can be affected by pathologies such as disc degeneration, a major cause of back pain. We are studying the relation between intervertebral disc microstructure and its biomechanical properties, in order to further our understating of how it works and how it can be repaired.
Title: Invertebral disc polarised light microscopy image by Claudio Vergari (27177975104)
Credit: A rose is a rose is an intervertebral disc is a rose by Claudio Vergari
Author: University of Exeter from United Kingdom
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
License: CC BY 2.0
License Link: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0
Attribution Required?: Yes
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