Vertebral End-Plate Changes With Aging of Human Vertebrae

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Abstract
Sequential age changes are described within the growth and articular layers of the cartilaginous end-plates of vertebrae from humans aged from birth to 73 yrs. There is a gradual reduction in the width of the growth cartilage up to 16-20 yrs of age. During adulthood and progressing into old age (60-73 yrs), the end-plates consist of only articular cartilage which undergoes calcification followed by resorption and replacement by bone. Age changes are observed in the arterioles, capillaries and venules found in the nutrient canals or spaces of the bone adjacent to the cartilage or disc. Calcification of the articular cartilage and vascular changes seen in the older vertebrae would impede the passage of nutrients from the blood to the disc proper. Collagen fibers are observed arising from the older vertebral end-plates to course into the midregion of the disc.

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