Abstract: Objective To investigate endplate shape in low lumbar spine in patients with herniated nucleus pulposus, and analyze the relationshipbetween endplate shape and herniation of intervertebral disc, Modic changes. Methods The preoperative MRI of 110 patients wasreviewed. The endplate shape was divided into 3 types. Disc degeneration was classified with the Pfirrmann's way. Results Concave typewas the most common in the lower lumbar spine. Flat was more prevalent in lower than in upper. The L5~S1 segment was flat in most cases.Irregular type was the least and mainly appeared at the L5~S1 segment. Disc degeneration worsened from concave, flat, to irregular. Herniatedintervertebral disc dominated with flat and irregular endplates, and no-herniated ones dominated with concave. Modic changes more associatedwith irregular endplates. Conclusion Endplate shape may respond to the disc degeneration. Modic changes associate with irregularendplate.

Key words: lumbar disc herniation, magnetic resonance imaging, endplate, disc degeneration, Modic changes