Three dimensional microstructure of spinal endplate: relationship between nano-scale structure of nutrition canal and biochemical characteristics of intervertebral disc

腰椎间盘(IVD)营养减少可能是IVD退变的原因之一。营养管狭窄可能导致IVD退变，但尚未对营养管三维微结构进行定量分析。本研究旨在利用高分辨率显微CT技术对兔腰椎终板营养管的正常三维显微结构进行表征。本研究展示了一个由垂直管道和水平管道组成的三维营养管道网络。这项研究表明，存在相互连接垂直渠道的水平渠道。尽管水平管道的作用还有待分析，但水平管道似乎对终板内的流体流动有贡献。

Decreased lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) nutrition is a possible cause for IVD degeneration. Narrowing of the nutrition canal possibly leads to IVD degeneration; however, 3D nutrition canal microstructure has not been analyzed in a quantitative manner. This study aimed to characterize the normal 3D microstructure of nutrition canal of the rabbit lumbar vertebral endplate using a high-resolution micro-CT technique. The present study demonstrated a nutrition canal 3D network which consisted of vertical and horizontal canals. This study showed existence of horizontal canals interconnecting the vertical canals. Although the horizontal canal’s role is yet to be analyzed, the horizontal canals appear to contribute fluid flows within the endplate.