Which age-related spine change is most directly responsible for decreased height?

Which age-related spine change is most directly responsible for decreased height?

• A. Decreased muscle mass
• B. Osteoporosis
• C. Thinning of the vertebral discs
• D. Kyphosis

Answer: (C)

Spinal height is mainly determined by the space between the vertebrae, which is provided by the intervertebral discs. As people age, these discs lose water and degenerates, becoming thinner. This loss of disc height directly shortens the length of the spinal column, producing a decrease in standing height. While decreased muscle mass can affect posture and osteoporosis can lead to vertebral compression fractures that reduce height, the immediate reduction in height comes from thinning of the vertebral discs. Kyphosis can make you appear shorter and is often a consequence of multiple spine changes, but the primary, direct change that lowers actual height is disc thinning.

Spinal height is mainly determined by the space between the vertebrae, which is provided by the intervertebral discs. As people age, these discs lose water and degenerates, becoming thinner. This loss of disc height directly shortens the length of the spinal column, producing a decrease in standing height.

While decreased muscle mass can affect posture and osteoporosis can lead to vertebral compression fractures that reduce height, the immediate reduction in height comes from thinning of the vertebral discs. Kyphosis can make you appear shorter and is often a consequence of multiple spine changes, but the primary, direct change that lowers actual height is disc thinning.