Describe the macroscopic and microscopic structure of the intervertebral dis.

          Intervertebral disc which lies between adjacent vertebral bodies,is primarily composed of fibrous cartilage.It attaches to the vertebrae via thin layers of hyaline cartilage,which are called end plates. It has two components; the peripheral annulus fibrosus and central nucleus pulposus.Nucleus pulposes occurs more towards the posterior margin of the disc.Intervertebral disc acts as a lubricated cushions and shock absorbers in the spinal cord.

Nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosis 

Nucleus pulposus 

Gelatinous. Has more ground substance rich in hyaluronic acid.Consisted of notocordal cells.Avascular and nourished via the cartilaginous end plates.Important as a shockabsorber.

Anulus fibrosis 

Is made of fibrocartilage.Rich in bundles of type 1 collagen.Those fibers create sheets.The peripheral fibers attach to the anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments.The matrix contains less ground substance.Cartilagenous cells are less numeric.Only the outer part of annulus fibrosus has a blood supply.Is derived from sclerotomal cells.