MORPHOLOGICAL STUDY OF INTERVERTEBRAL DISC-ENDPLATE ENTHESIS

Abstract

The intervertebral disc (IVD) is a repeated component along the spine that enables load-bearing and torsion. Age and trauma to the IVD can deteriorate the structure and subsequently functionality of the spine, resulting in disc degeneration disease (DDD). As tissue regeneration research begins with small animals, specifically the Sprague Dawley rat, it is important to understand the complex morphology of the IVD and the relevance of the animal model used in regenerative studies to the human anatomy. Histological methods were adopted to study the morphology of the rat IVD, specifically that of the load-bearing lumbar region, with stains and markers selected based on identifying important tissue types to the functionality of the IVD. The use of high-magnification microscopy enabled the observation of fine details. These microscopy data were thereafter used in attempts to reconstruct a 3D histological model of the rat lumbar IVD.