Currently, every second person has symptoms of development of vertebral pathologies. First of all, they are associated with various heights, deformations, or stratification of the intervertebral discs. The disease takes a long time, but the peak of its intensity is the time of active production labor.
What does the concept of pulp nucleus include?
The bodies of two neighboring vertebrae are separated by intervertebral discs consisting of a fibro-cartilaginous ring on their periphery. Due to the strong connective tissue, the fibers of the ring are attached to the vertebrae and form the inner space of the disc, called the pulpous nucleus.
Its main purpose is the uniform distribution of the load over the entire surface of the vertebra. Violation of this function is the first stage in the development of osteochondrosis.
Core structure
By its structure, the pulpous core of the intervertebral disc is a medium fluid fluid from connective fibers and chondrin. The very word "pulpous" means "gelatinous," or "gelatinous." Due to this structure, the transition of the load from vertebra to vertebra is smooth during walking and running, and their injuries are also prevented.
The kernel can occupy up to 60% of the total disk capacity. Due to the gel consistency and white color, it visually resembles a rubber pillow with water. The high degree of hydration of the nucleus is explained by the content of proteoglycans in it, among which aggrecan is of the greatest importance.
Combining with each other, aggrecan molecules form large complexes, the spatial structure of which is aimed at uniform distribution of fluid within the nucleus. It is worth noting that the pulpous nucleus is considered the most small-cell tissue in the body. In it, even in articular cartilage, the distribution of cells by volume is 2.5 times higher.
Pathological phenomena of the pulpous nucleus of the intervertebral disc
In fact, the initial stage of spinal column diseases originates in the intervertebral disc. Pathological effects increase the viscosity of chondrin until it dries. The loss of mobility of the nucleus through a chain reaction leads to the destruction of the fibrous ring - tissue strength decreases, and when lifting heavy objects, cracks of various sizes arise.
Excessive physical work for an unprepared muscle and musculoskeletal system enlarges the openings in the discs so much that the pulpous nucleus is completely or partially extruded from the fibrous ring. In this situation, there are two possible scenarios. Content remains within the given vertebra or enters the neighboring:
- In the first case, a victim develops a herniated disc, dangerous for its ability to narrow the intervertebral foramen and compress the nerve endings. Impaired nerve function is accompanied by sharp discomfort and radiculitis pain.
- In the second case, the pulpous core of the disc becomes the cause of Schmorl's hernia, characterized by a difference in vertebrae in height and leading to a decrease in the gaps of the intervertebral foramina. As a rule, the affected body does not feel discomfort with this violation and lives calmly with an ailment.
Intervertebral disc dehydration
Pathological conditions of the spinal column are caused not only by rupture of the pulpous nucleus, but also by partial loss of water in the central regions of the intervertebral discs. Such dehydration provokes the development of protrusions, osteoarthritis and various hernias. Due to the loss of the depreciation function of the disk, the volume of the motor capabilities of the spine is reduced.
As a rule, the dehydration of the pulpous nucleus increases with age and by the age of sixty reaches more than 50%. Loss of moisture in the collagen networks of the intervertebral discs reduces their elasticity and resilience, respectively, metabolic processes are disrupted, and the tissues experience progressive aging.
In advanced cases, when the pulpous nucleus does not contain more fluid, pathological changes in the structure of the intervertebral discs cannot be prevented. The spinal column loses its cushioning capacity, and its biochemistry is impaired.
Symptoms of dehydration
With dehydration of the pulpous nucleus, the signs of the disease do not manifest themselves immediately, but increase gradually. Provocative factors are considered, as already mentioned, exorbitant physical work, pregnancy and exacerbation of diseases.
The main symptoms of dehydration of the intervertebral disc include the following:
- pain in the lower and upper limbs;
- morning thirst;
- discomfort during flexion / extension of the body, bending;
- uncomfortable sensations in muscle tissue that turn into spasms;
- lack of reflex function;
- sharp unbearable pain when squeezing peripheral nerve endings;
- numbness of the limbs.
The fact of localization of the pathology in the upper part of the spine (cervical region) is evidenced by frequent headaches, impaired visual system, and tinnitus of various kinds.
Diagnosis of pathologies of the spinal disc
Degenerative deviations in the functioning of the musculoskeletal system may not occur for a significant period of time. The only way to establish the presence of pathology of the spinal column is to conduct an MRI diagnosis. In most cases, specialists use this procedure to confirm the most common complication of dehydration - Schmorl's hernia.