ABSTRACT
By means of macro- and microscopical methods structure of 412 lumbar intervertebral discs (ID), obtained from 84 corpses of persons died at the age 16-90 years have been studied, as well as 30 macerated lumbar vertebra. During these periods the lumbar ID are formed by hyalin laminae and a connective tissue wall, surrounding the cavity. According to the tissue type, in the ID wall three main layers are differentiated. The external layer is determined as a fibrous ring, the middle one--as fibrous-cartilagenous and the internal one--as a chondromucoid ring. The three layers gradually and consequently turn one into another. According to manifestation degree of these layers, development of the internal layer and size of the cavity three main variants of the ID structure are nominated: intervertebral synarthrosis, intervertebral hemiarthrosis and intervertebral "diathrosis" (real articulations have not been revealed between the vertebral bodies). The occurrence rate of the ID structural variants revealed in the lumbar part of the spinal cord is demonstrated. Absence of chordal mucous in the cavity is specific for the ID during the age periods investigated. The role of the "nucleus" is performed by the internal layer of the ID wall, which possesses a system of processes and a forming peculiar pulpous complex, which ensures the ID adaptation to various changes in position of the vertebral locomotor segment. The pulpous complex is surrounded with a united fibrillar carcass of hyalin laminae and fibrous-cartilagenous ring; together with the carcass it forms an elastic layer between the vertebral bodies.
Subject(s)
Intervertebral Disc/anatomy & histology , Lumbar Vertebrae/anatomy & histology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Collagen/chemistry , Female , Humans , Hyalin/chemistry , Intervertebral Disc/chemistry , Intervertebral Disc/growth & development , Lumbar Vertebrae/chemistry , Lumbar Vertebrae/growth & development , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The authors examine the anatomical and biomechanical peculiarities of the upper and lower cervical vertebromotor segments. A differential administration of the manual therapy methods to influence various levels of the cervical spine is substantiated. It has been demonstrated that the mobilization of the atlanto-occipital joints should be carried out by means of flexion and extension movements and lateral inclinations. It is supposed that the atlanto-occipital complex of joints may be affected by means of combination of axial traction and rotation of the cervical spine. The manipulations on the lower cervical vertebromotor segments require a combined application of lateral inclinations and rotation.
