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The spine and curvature abnormalities

In this issue

  • Spinal curvature anomalies

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The goal of this newsletter is to provide you with enough information to be useful, but not more than can be learned within the busy schedule of a health care worker. You’ll find anatomy charts, additional vocabulary, occasional feedback from subscribers, and more! Feel free to read them now and save them for later use such as with a patient or as a study guide for coursework.

lordosis and kyphosis
comparison of normal spine to abnormal spines

Spinal curvature and anomalies

  • Spine
  • Vertebrae
  • Normal position: The normal curvatures of the spine include an outward kyphotic curvature in the thoracic and sacral regions and an inward lordotic curvature of the lumbar and cervical regions, all within a completely vertical spine.
  • Scoliosis: lateral deviation of the spine.
  • Kyphosis or hyperkyphosis: Abnormally excessive kyphotic curvature of the spine as it occurs in the thoracic and sacral regions.
  • Can result from arthritis, developmental problems, osteoporosis with compression fractures of the vertebra, etc.
  • Lordosis or hyperlordosis: An excessive curvature of the lordotic regions, most commonly seen in the lower back.
  • Some causes include imbalances in muscle strength and length, such as weak hamstrings or tight hip flexors, achondroplasia, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, and pregnancy, among others.
  • Columna vertebral
  • Vertebras
  • Posición normal: Las curvaturas normales de la columna vertebral incluyen una curvatura cifótica hacia afuera en las regiones torácica y sacra y una curvatura lordótica hacia adentro de las regiones lumbar y cervical, todo dentro de una columna vertebral completamente vertical.
  • Escoliosis: desviación lateral de la columna.
  • Cifosis o hipercifosis: Curvatura cifótica anormalmente excesiva de la columna vertebral, como se produce en las regiones torácica y sacra.
  • Puede ser resultado de la artritis, problemas del desarrollo, la osteoporosis con fracturas por compresión de las vértebras, etc.
  • Lordosis o hiperlordodsis: Una curvatura excesiva de las regiones lordóticas, observada más comúnmente en la espalda baja.
  • Algunas causas incluyen desequilibrios en la fuerza y la longitud muscular, como músculos isquiotibiales débiles o flexores de la cadera contraidos, acondroplasia, espondilolistesis, osteoporosis, y el embarazo, entre otros.

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