The annulus fibrosus, the outer wall of the intervertebral disc, has a lamellar structure. Each lamella is reinforced by collagen fibres. A theory has been developed which allows the response of the fibre network to disc deformation to be calculated. The theory has been formulated in a form suitable for computer graphics display of its predictions. Results enable the effects of compression, torsion, flexion and shear of the disc to be readily appreciated.
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