Nucleus pulposus
Cervical vertebra with intervertebral disc. (Nucleus pulposus labeled at center right, and is visible at center in light blue.)
Stages of Spinal Disc Herniation
Gray's	subject #17 82
Precursor	notochord

Nucleus pulposus is the jelly-like substance in the middle of the spinal disc. It is the remnant of the notochord. It functions to distribute hydraulic pressure in all directions within each disc under compressive loads. The nucleus pulposus consists of chondrocytes, collagen fibrils, and proteoglycan aggrecans that have hyaluronic long chains which attract water. Attached to each hyaluronic chain are side chains of chondroitin sulfate and keratan sulfate.^[1]

Contents 1 See also 2 Additional images 3 References 4 External links

[edit] See also

• Annulus fibrosus disci intervertebralis
• Spinal disc herniation

[edit] Additional images

Sagittal section through an intervertebral fibrocartilage and adjacent parts of two vertebræ of an advanced sheep’s embryo.

[edit] References

^[2]

1. ^ See Figure 1 in US patent application 2007/0003525.
2. ^ Link to referenced patent application.

[edit] External links

• Image at spinesource.com
• Presentation on synthetic nucleus pulposus

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v • d • e Joints and ligaments of torso (TA A03.02-04, GA 3.299) Vertebral column Syndesmosis articulations of vertebral bodies: anterior longitudinal ligament · posterior longitudinal ligament articulations of vertebral arches: ligamenta flava · supraspinous ligament (nuchal ligament) · interspinal ligament · intertransverse ligament Synchondrosis intervertebral disc (annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus) Synovial joint Atlanto-axial (lat + med) capsule · atlantoaxial ligaments (anterior, posterior) · Cruciate ligament of atlas (Transverse ligament of atlas) Alar ligament · Apical ligament of dens · Tectorial membrane of atlanto-axial joint Zygapophysial no ligaments Lumbosacral iliolumbar ligament Sacrococcygeal anterior sacrococcygeal ligament · posterior sacrococcygeal ligament Thorax Costovertebral articulation of head of rib: radiate ligament · interarticular ligament costotransverse: Lumbocostal ligament Sternocostal interarticular sternocostal ligament · radiate sternocostal ligaments · costoxiphoid ligaments Interchondral no ligaments Costochondral no ligaments Pelvis Syndesmoses of pelvic girdle Obturator membrane · Obturator canal Pubic symphysis superior pubic ligament · inferior pubic ligament Sacroiliac anterior sacroiliac ligament · posterior sacroiliac ligament · interosseous sacroiliac ligament ligaments connecting the sacrum and ischium: sacrotuberous ligament · sacrospinous ligament Greater sciatic foramen · Lesser sciatic foramen