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Axial section through the spinal canal and
foramina of the L5–Sl disc of a 65–year–old man who had had
occasional mild low back pain without radicular symptoms. The disc
is severely degenerated, the normal texture of the annular lamellae
is replaced by a light–colored amorphous mass that contrasts with
the dark–brown outermost annulus fibrosus. Under the outer annulus
brown degenerative vacuoles are seen. The spinal canal is occupied
by pink–colored fat in which the thecal sac is embedded. The dura
is connected in the midline to the disc by a thin sagittal fibrous
septum. The disc bulges excentrically to the right and abuts the
superior articular process of the sacrum, obliterating the foramen
completely. The right SI root lies between the disc and the ligamentum flavum joint capsule and is slightly deformed and displaced
medially. Note also cystic degenerative changes in the thickened
ligamentum flavum. The posterior bony elements are light in color
due to fatty degeneration of the bone marrow. |
©2000 Wolfgang Rauschning, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Clinical Anatomy
Academic
University Hospital
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Uppsala, Sweden
Reproduction without permission is prohibited
http://www.akademiska.se/
