title: Structure and biology of the intervertebral disk in health and disease.
abstract: The intervertebral disks along the spine provide motion and protection against mechanical loading. The 3 structural components, nucleus pulposus, annulus fibrosus, and cartilage endplate, function as a synergistic unit, though each has its own role. The cells within each of these components have distinct origins in development and morphology, producing specific extracellular matrix proteins that are organized into unique architectures fit for intervertebral disk function. This article focuses on various aspects of intervertebral disk biology and disruptions that could lead to diseases such as intervertebral disk degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, The University of Hong Kong, LKS Faculty of Medicine, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Wilson C W
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Kit Ling
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Sze
authors.forename: Dino
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Samartzis
authors.forename: Victor Y L
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Danny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases