Question

You have been involved in a gymnastics accident due to your attempts at slacklining, the high compression strength and high tensile strength of your intervertebral discs has been compromised, this tissue is

Answer 1

Intervertebral discs, comprised of the anulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus, can herniate, particularly when the anulus fibrosus weakens. This can compress spinal nerves, resulting in pain and muscle weakness in certain body regions. Age-related water loss in the nucleus pulposus also leads to thinner discs and reduced flexibility.

Step-by-step explanation:

The intervertebral discs play a crucial role in the structural integrity of the spine, serving as shock absorbers between the vertebral bodies. Each disc is made up of two parts: the anulus fibrosus and the nucleus pulposus. The anulus fibrosus is a tough, fibrous outer layer that secures the disc to the adjacent vertebral bodies, while the nucleus pulposus is a softer, gel-like center that resists compression and is essential for weight bearing.

Over time or due to injury, the anulus fibrosus can weaken. This may cause a herniation, where the nucleus pulposus protrudes out of its normal space, potentially compressing spinal nerves. Such compression can lead to pain and muscle weakness in the body regions that the affected nerve supplies.

Age-related changes in the water content of the nucleus pulposus result in a reduced ability to resist compression, leading to thinner discs, decreased body height, and less flexibility, thereby making movements such as bending more difficult.