Intervertebral+discs

The intervertebral discs are a cushion between vertebrae of the spine. Each disc contains two parts, the inner gelatinous nucleus pulposus and the anulus fibrosus. The anulus fibrosus keeps the nucleus puposus from expanding too much when the spine is compressed. It also binds successive vertebrae together like a woven strap and withstands tension in the spine and also withstands twisting motion. The intervetebral discs act as shock absorbers during physical activity and allow the spine to flex and extend. These discs account for 25% of someone's height. They flatten a little during the course of the day making us shorter at night then in the morning.

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