Fundamental Study of Dynamic Analysis of the Lumbar Vertebrae : 3rd. Study of the Function of the Nucleus Pulposus under Compressive Loading

Abstract

This paper describes the results of fundamental study of dynamic analysis of the lumbar vertebrae for the accidental injury. In the constructed finite element model, the function of the nucleus pulposus under compressive loading is studied. The results of the dynamic analyses show the following two things. Because the nucleus pulposus has the nearly incompressible property, the volume change is small and the high pressure is spread all around under compressive loading. In case of stiffening the annulus fibrosus, it is more difficult for the nucleus pulposus to change its volume and the pressure becomes higher.