Journal of anatomy
-
Historical Article
Schmorl's nodes (intravertebral herniations of intervertebral disc tissue) in two historic British populations.
The herniation of the nucleus pulposus into the vertebral body produces ectopic deposit of disc material which are known as Schmorl's nodes. This prolapsed disc tissue leaves characteristic deformations on the surface of the vertebral body and hence the incidence of this lesion can be studied in skeletal remains. This report describes the occurrence of Schmorl's nodes in TV8-SV1 in two historic adult British populations, one from Aberdeen and the other from London. ⋯ The aetiology of Schmorl's nodes is unclear. Various hypothetical causal factors were appraised in relation to the findings of this study. It was suggested that anomalies in vascular and/or notochordal regression may be related to the development of the lesion.