Kyphosis: a posterior convex angulation of the spine as evaluated on a side
view of the spine. Contrast to lordosis.
Lordosis: an anterior angulation of the spine in the sagittal plane. Contrast to
kyphosis.
Kyphoscoliosis: a structural scoliosis associated with increased roundback.
Thoracic curve: any spinal curvature in which the apex of the curve is
between the second and eleventh thoracic vertebrae.
Thoracolumbar curve: any curvature that has its apex at the twelfth thoracic
or first lumbar vertebrae.
Lumbar curve: a spinal curvature whose apex is between the first and fourth
lumbar vertebrae (also known as lumbar scoliosis).
Lumbosacral curve: a spinal curvature whose apex is between the first and
fourth lumbar vertebrae (also known as lumbosacral scoliosis).
Primary curve: the first or earliest curve to appear.
Double curve: 3D curvatures (scoliosis) in the same spine. Double major
curve: describes a scoliosis in which there are two structural curves, which
are often of equal size. Double thoracic curve: a scoliosis with a structural
upper thoracic curve, as well as a larger, more deforming, lower thoracic
curve, and a relatively non-structural lumbar curve.
Structural curve: a segment of the spine that has fixed 3D curvature.
Non-structural curve: description of a spinal curvature or scoliosis that does
not have fixed residual deformity.
Compensatory curve: in spinal deformity, a secondary curve located above
or below the structural curvature, which develops in order to maintain normal
body alignment.
Spondylolisthesis: an anterior displacement of a vertebra on the adjacent
lower vertebrae.
Decompensation: in scoliosis, this refers to loss of spinal balance when the
thoracic cage is not centred over the pelvis.
Risser sign: used to indicate pelvic maturity, this refers to the appearance of
a crescentic line of bone formation, which appears across the top of each side
of the iliac crest used for global appreciation of skeletal maturity.
Scoliometer: a proprietary name for an inclinometer used in measuring the
gibbosity (proeminence).
Posterior fusion: a technique of stabilizing two or more vertebrae by bone
grafting (Posterior approach).
Anterior fusion: Fusion of the spine by an anterior (Frontal) approach by the thorax
and/or the retroperitonal approach
Vertebral column: Pre-load polyarticular system composed of vertebrae,
separated by discs and bound together by ligaments.
Cobb Angle: A method of measuring the size of scoliotic curves expressed in
degrees.
Top