DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2018.v06i04.010

Pages: 357-358

The nucleus pulposus is a vestigial gelatinous structure derived from notochord that is located within intervertebral discs. Nucleus pulposus from rabbit were obtained and processed to carry out a histological study using simple staining methods. Results show that nucleus pulposus from rabbit was composed of vacuolated cells aggregated in groups or cords immersed in an extracellular matrix composed of collagen type II and acid and sulfated mucopolysaccharides. Further studies will be necessary to characterize cells and extracellular matrix and to compare with nucleus pulposus from several origins.