In vitro analysis of thoracic spinal motion segment flexibility during stepwise reduction of all functional structures.
Hans-Joachim WilkeStefan GrundlerClaudia OttardiChinnu-Elsa MathewBenedikt SchlagerChristian LiebschPublished in: European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society (2019)
The anulus fibrosus defines the motion characteristics qualitatively, while the ligaments and the presence of the nucleus pulposus restrict the mobility of a thoracic spinal motion segment solely in a quantitative manner. The posterior ligaments do not predominantly serve for primary stability but for the prevention of hyperflexion. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.