kyphosis

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Ancient Greek κυφός (kuphós, “humpback, bent”) +‎ -osis.

Noun

kyphosis (countable and uncountable, plural kyphoses)

  1. (anatomy) The normal convex curvature of the spine in the thoracic and sacral regions.
  2. (pathology) An abnormal convex curvature of the spine in the cervical or lumbar regions of the spine.
    Synonyms: roundback, Kelso's hunchback

Usage notes

Some degree of kyphosis is normal and non-pathological in the thoracic and sacral regions, so an excessive curvature in either of those regions would be described as hyperkyphosis. However, the cervical and lumbar regions normally exhibit lordosis, or concave curvature, and any kyphosis in those regions would be considered pathological.

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Further reading

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