title: Surgical anatomy, radiological features, and molecular biology of the lumbar intervertebral discs.
abstract: The intervertebral disc (IVD) is a joint unique in structure and functions. Lying between adjacent vertebrae, it provides both the primary support and the elasticity required for the spine to move stably. Various aspects of the IVD have long been studied by researchers seeking a better understanding of its dynamics, aging, and subsequent disorders. In this article, we review the surgical anatomy, imaging modalities, and molecular biology of the lumbar IVD. Clin. Anat. 30:251-266, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine.
authors.forename: Malik
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ghannam
authors.affiliation: An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine.
authors.forename: Fareed
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jumah
authors.affiliation: An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine.
authors.forename: Shaden
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mansour
authors.affiliation: An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine.
authors.forename: Amjad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samara
authors.affiliation: An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine.
authors.forename: Saja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alkhdour
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Institute, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Muayad A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Alzuabi
authors.affiliation: An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine.
authors.forename: Loai
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Aker
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Nimer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Adeeb
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Justin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Massengale
authors.affiliation: Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Rod J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Oskouian
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, Grenada.|Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: R Shane
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-1317-1047
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Tubbs
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging
keywords: anatomy; biology; embryology; imaging; intervertebral disc; molecular