The osseous endplates in lumbar vertebrae: Thickness, bone mineral density and their associations with age and disk degeneration

► The thickness and BMD of the vertebral endplates were quantified with μCT. ► A new thickness definition was used to measure the whole central endplate. ► The cranial endplate was thicker and had higher BMD than its caudal endplate. ► For the first time, the BMD of the vertebral endplate was measured in humans. ► More DD was associated with greater endplate thickness but not higher BMD.