With aging, what may happen to the vertebral column?

With aging, what may happen to the vertebral column?

• A. Vertebral column lengthens
• B. Vertebral column remains unchanged
• C. Vertebral column thickens
• D. Vertebral column may compress

Answer: (D)

With aging, the spine tends to lose height because bones become less dense and discs lose their water content. Osteoporosis makes vertebral bodies more prone to compression and even small stresses can cause tiny fractures, while disc dehydration shortens the height between vertebrae. All of this leads to the vertebral column thinning or shortening rather than growing taller. So the best description is that the vertebral column may compress, often resulting in a shorter stature and sometimes a rounded or stooped posture. Lengthening or thickening isn’t typical with aging, and remaining unchanged ignores the common degenerative changes that occur.

With aging, the spine tends to lose height because bones become less dense and discs lose their water content. Osteoporosis makes vertebral bodies more prone to compression and even small stresses can cause tiny fractures, while disc dehydration shortens the height between vertebrae. All of this leads to the vertebral column thinning or shortening rather than growing taller. So the best description is that the vertebral column may compress, often resulting in a shorter stature and sometimes a rounded or stooped posture. Lengthening or thickening isn’t typical with aging, and remaining unchanged ignores the common degenerative changes that occur.