Which statement best describes a function of the annulus fibrosus?

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The annulus fibrosus is the tough outer ring of the intervertebral disc, made of concentric collagen-rich lamellae that are oriented to resist forces from different directions. Its primary role is to contain the nucleus pulposus at the center and to resist tensile and shear stresses that occur with bending, twisting, and loading. This containment and resistance to stretching prevent the nucleus from bulging outward and help stabilize the motion segment. That’s why describing it as containing the nucleus pulposus and resisting stretching best captures its function. Storing calcium is a bone function, and while the annulus attaches to adjacent vertebral endplates, its main job is not to form a protective layer but to stabilize and contain the disc under load.