The intervertebral disc in the anterior portion of the function unit gives the spine its flexibility. The disc is attached closely to the vertebral endplates. Between these endplates and the annulus fibrosus, the nucleus pulposus of the lumbar disc is enclosed in a circle of unyielding tissues. Compressive pressure placed on the disc is dissipated circumferentially in a passive manner In response to the greater axial forced exerted on the lumbar spine in comparison to the cervical and thoracic spines, the nucleus pulposus has its greatest surface area in the lumbar spine. The intervertebral disc is not only structure that helps diss pate stresses placed on the spine. With flexion, extension, rotation, or shear stress, the load distribution on the function unit is shared by the intervertebral disc, anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, the facet joints and capsules, and other ligamentous structures like the ligamentum flavum, interspinous and supraspinous ligaments, which attach to the posterior elements of the functional unit.