The Soft–Hard Tissue Junction
Structure, Mechanics and Function

Discover how the detailed structures of musculoskeletal tissue junctions relate to mechanical function with this image-rich book.

Neil D. Broom (Author), Ashvin Thambyah (Author)

9781107137868, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 November 2018

400 pages
25.2 x 17.7 x 2.2 cm, 0.95 kg

Richly illustrated throughout with actual tissue images, this innovative book shows that the soft-hard tissue junction is best understood in a biomechanical context. The authors describe their pioneering experimental methods, providing an essential structure-function framework for computational modelling, and thereby encouraging the development of more realistic, predictive models of this important tissue junction. Covering the three main musculoskeletal junctions of cartilage-bone, disc-vertebra, and ligament/tendon-bone, the relevant soft tissues are examined with respect to both their own inherent structure and their mode of integration with the hard tissue. The soft-hard tissue interface is explored with a focus on structural damage resulting from overloading, and its associated pathologies. Adopting a multiscale approach, ranging in structural resolution from the macro to fibril levels, this is a must-have guide to the field and an ideal resource for researchers seeking new and creative approaches for studying the joint and spine tissues.

Part I. The Osteochondral System: 1. General principles relating to the joint tissues and their function
2. The osteochondral junction
3. Failure of the osteochondral junction
4. Shear failure of the osteochondral junction
5. A large in vivo model exploring extreme physiological loading of the osteochondral tissues
Part II. The Intervertebral Disc-Endplate System: 6. Relevant anatomy and macro-level structure
7. The elastic fibre component in the disc
8. Detailed analysis of the disc-endplate system
9. Structure of the nucleus and its relation to annulus and endplate
10. Experimental investigation of failure of the annulus-endplate junction region
11. Endplate involvement in whole disc failure
12. Micromechanics of failure of the disc-endplate system under realistic loading
Part III. The Enthesis: 13. Tendon and ligament biomechanics
14. The enthesis: composition, structure and function
15. Exploring enthesis structure-function relationships
16. Managing the modulus mismatch.

Subject Areas: Materials science [TGM], Mechanical engineering [TGB], Mechanical engineering & materials [TG], Biomedical engineering [MQW]