Quantitative electron probe X-ray microanalysis of calcium and phosphorus in human lumbar yellow ligaments

Abstract

The elemental changes of biopsy specimens obtained from the human lumbar yellow ligaments were studied by quantitative electron probe X-ray microanalysis on both glutaraldehyde-fixed Epon-embedded sections and unfixed freeze-dried cryosections. Much higher soluble amounts of Ca and P in the unmineralized fibrocartilage zone were found in specimens obtained from older patients than in those from younger ones.