| Abstract: | Conclusions 1. The strength of intervertebral disks undergoes significant changes during the human lifetime. The data obtained allow the distinction of three periods: 1) a period of strength gain (newly born babies-18 years); 2) a stable period (20–40 years); and 3) a period of strength loss (from 50 to the death). The safety factor of strength of the intervertebral disks is the highest during the first two decades and decreases during the following age periods.2. The sex has a significant influence on the strength characteristics of the intervertebral disks.3. Changes in the limiting load of the intervertebral disks of the spine are characterized by a caudocranial gradient and the changes in the strength and the safety factor of strength, by a cranio-caudal gradient. The existing relationships do not depend on age or sex and reflect the significance of the functions of support and motion in different sections of the spinal column.4. The strength of the intervertebral disks depends on the degree of the degenerative-distrophic process, the mineral content of the tissues, the water content, and the ability of the disk tissues to retain water.S. V. Kurashov Kazan' State Medical Institute. Translated from Mekhanika Polimerov, No. 5, pp. 897–902, September–October, 1976. |
