ACAN	Aggrecan
ADAMTS5	A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5
AF	Annulus fibrosus
cDNA	Complimentary DNA
CEP	Cartilaginous endplates
COL10A1	Type X collagen
COL1A2	Type I collagen
COL2A1	Type II collagen
COL6A1	Type VI collagen
E	Young’s modulus
ECM	Extracellular matrix
FAK	Focal adhesion kinase
FE	Finite element
GAG	Glycosaminoglycans
IL	Interleukin
IVD	Intervertebral disc
MMP	Matrix metalloproteinases
NP	Nucleus pulposus
PCM	Pericellular matrix
qPCR	Quantitative polymerase chain reaction
RVF	Reactive fluid volume flux
RVT	Reaction total fluid volume
SOX9	SRY-Box Transcription Factor 9
TNF	Tumor necrosis factor
TRPV4	Transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 4