Increases in fracture incidence are generally accepted as the consequence of the decrease in overall vertebral strength that occurs with aging [2]. Since the overall strength of the vertebral body undoubtedly depends on the structural contribution of all of its components, understanding their relative roles and relevance to agerelated changes is helpful in assessing the effect of any medical intervention on fracture risk. Despite its importance, results from several studies, both by experimental and analytical means, have supported no consensus.
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