Figure 1

Anatomy of the intervertebral disc. Schematic of the IVDÂ (a). IVDs are situated between the vertebral bodies in the spine. They provide flexibility and bear load caused by body weight and physical activity. A portion is cut out to show the central gelatinous NP and the alternating orientation of collagen bundles between adjacent AF lamellae. Yellow arrows indicate the load path. Bovine tail intervertebral disc stained with PMA and stored in membrane box for scanning (b).