Annular fibers resist which type of forces?

Prepare for your Movement Science Midterm Test with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Boost your exam readiness!

The key idea is how the annulus fibrosus handles load. Its concentric lamellae of collagen are arranged to resist being pulled apart. When the spine bears weight, the nucleus pulposus pushes outward, creating hoop stresses that stretch the annular fibers. Those fibers are built to handle that tensile load, helping to contain the nucleus and stabilize the disc under compression. So, the primary force they resist is tensile forces. They do contribute to resisting other loads to some degree due to their layered, angled arrangement, but tensile resistance is the main role.