The nucleus pulposus resists which type of forces?

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Multiple Choice

The nucleus pulposus resists which type of forces?

The nucleus pulposus is a hydrated gel at the center of the intervertebral disc, and it behaves like a hydraulic cushion. When the spine is loaded, it resists compressive forces by generating hydrostatic pressure that evenly distributes the load across the disc and helps maintain height and shock absorption. The surrounding annulus fibrosus contains that pressure and provides resistance to other types of stress, such as tensile, shear, and torsional loads. Because of this hydraulic behavior, the nucleus pulposus primarily resists compression.

The nucleus pulposus is a hydrated gel at the center of the intervertebral disc, and it behaves like a hydraulic cushion. When the spine is loaded, it resists compressive forces by generating hydrostatic pressure that evenly distributes the load across the disc and helps maintain height and shock absorption. The surrounding annulus fibrosus contains that pressure and provides resistance to other types of stress, such as tensile, shear, and torsional loads. Because of this hydraulic behavior, the nucleus pulposus primarily resists compression.

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