Scoliosis Terms

Adolescent Scoliosis – a lateral spinal curvature that appears around puberty and before skeletal maturity, typically between the ages of ten and fourteen

Adult Scoliosis – scoliosis present after skeletal maturity

Anterior – the front of the vertebral body – or may refer to the position of one structure in relation to another

Anteroposterior View (AP View) – An x-ray view taken from the front of the body to the back (anterior to posterior)

Apex of curve – In scoliosis this refers to the vertebra that is located at the farthest point out laterally from the midline of the body.

Apical Vertebra – in scoliosis, the vertebra the greatest distance from the midline with the most rotation

Apophysis – a growth plate which is not apparent on x-rays until the bones are maturing – when ossification begins. The iliac apophysis is often used to estimate a child’s skeletal maturity.

Asymmetric spine – not straight or normal, the result is the appearance of the back is unequal in some respect

Atlas – the first cervical vertebra (C1) between the skull and the axis (C2)

Cervical Spine -  refers to the seven spinal segments (C1-C7) between the base of the skull (occiput) and the thoracic spine. The normal sagittal curve of the cervical spine is known as lordosis.

Cobb Angle – the “universal standard” of measurement used to quantify a scoliosis for the purpose of measuring curve progression over time. Cobb angle is measured on a ‘PA’ (posterior-anterior) x-ray as follows: a line is drawn at the top of the vertebra (above the curve apex) with the greatest lateral tilt and another line is drawn at the bottom of the vertebra (beneath the curve apex) with the greatest lateral tilt. The lines should be extended to the margin of the film. Next, third and fourth perpendicular lines are drawn. The angle is calculated where the lines intersect.

Coccyx – the bottom segment of the spine, below the sacrum, also known as the tailbone

Compensatory Curve – In scoliosis, a secondary curvature located above or below the structural curve. This curve develops to maintain normal body alignment.

Concave(ity)-refers to the part of the spinal curvature where the outline curves inward like the interior of a circle or sphere

Congenital scoliosis – scoliosis due to bony abnormalities of the spine present at birth. These anomalies are classified as failure of vertebral formation and/or failure of segmentation.

Convex(ity)-refers to the part of the spinal curvature where the outline is shaped like the outer edge of a circle or sphere

Decompensation – In scoliosis, this refers to loss of spinal balance when the thoracic cage isn’t centered over the pelvis.

Decompression – to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. The pressure may result from bone, fractured bone fragments, disc herniation, ligaments, bone spurs, tumor, infection, or abnormal curvature of the spine (scoliosis or kyphosis).

Deflexion-correction in the frontal plane

Derotation-correction in the transverse plane

Dextroscoliosis-scoliotic curvature that goes to the right

Disc Degeneration – the loss of the fluid content, structure and functional integrity of the disc

Distal -Situated away from or farthest from a point of reference- opposite: proximal

Dorsal-see posterior

Dorsal prominence-prominence of the back

Double curve – two lateral curvatures in scoliosis

Double major curve – a scoliosis in which there are two structural curves usually of equal/similar 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

Flatback Syndrome – forward posture usually due to a flattened lumbar spine from postoperative or degenerative changes. When viewed from the side, the head may be several centimeters in front of hips.

Hemivertebra – A congenital abnormality of a vertebral body caused by incomplete development of one side of a vertebra; usually a wedge shape. This may cause scoliosis or kyphosis.

Hyperkyphosis -(see kyphosis) refers to an abnormal increase in the forward curvature of the thoracic spine as viewed from the sagittal plane

Hyperlordosis – (see lordosis) excessive lordosis, or an increased curvature in the lumbar or cervical spine as viewed from the sagittal plane

Hypokyphosis-(see kyphosis) a loss of kyphosis, or an abnormal decrease in the curvature of the thoracic spine as viewed from the sagittal plane

Hypolordosis-(see lordosis) a loss of lordosis, or a decreased curvature in the lumbar or cervical spine as viewed from the sagittal plane

Idiopathic scoliosis – a structural spinal curvature with no known cause as determined by an x-ray absent of underlying physical or radiographic pathology -the most common type of scoliosis

Iliac bone – the pelvic bone above the hip joint

Infantile scoliosis – a curvature of the spine that develops prior to three years of age

Intervertebral disc – the structure that occupies the space between two freely moving vertebrae

Juvenile scoliosis – a scoliosis developing between three and ten years of age

Kyphoscoliosis – a structural scoliosis associated with increased kyphosis- a roundedback

Kyphosis/kyphotic – the normal forward curvature of the thoracic spine as viewed from the sagittal plane

Lateral – situated away from the midline of the body

Levoscoliosis-scoliotic curve that goes to the left

Lordoscoliosis – a lateral curvature of the spine associated with increased lordosis- a swayback

Lordosis/lordotic – the normal alignment of the spine in the sagittal plane in the lumbar and cervical spine

Lumbar curve – a curvature of the spine where the apex is between the second and fourth lumbar vertebrae (lumbar scoliosis)

Lumbar spine – the five mobile, and largest, vertebral segments of the lower back (L1 to L5). These spinal segments bear most of the body’s weight.

Lumbosacral – refers to the lumbar and sacral regions of the spine

Lumbosacral curve – A lateral curvature of the spine with the apex at the fifth lumbar vertebra or below (lumbosacral scoliosis).

Medial – situated closer to the midline of the body

Mild scoliosis-a 10º-25º degree curvature

Mobilizations: Active-movement by oneself; Passive-movement aided by another person

Moderate scoliosis–a 25º-50º degree spinal curvature

Neuromuscular scoliosis- scoliosis caused by a neurologic disorder

Nonstructural curve-a spinal curvature or scoliosis that is not fixed

Planes: Sagittal – of or in a plane which divides the body into left and right  halves or the spine viewed from the side; Frontal-of or at the front; Transverse-a rotational plane, like twisting

Posterior – located in back, such as the back side of the body

Proximal – closest to a point of reference-opposite: distal

Rib hump- the ribs protruding backward

Risser Sign – the measurement used to evaluate skeletal maturity (Risser 5). This references the appearance of a crescent-shaped line of bone formation, like a mushroom cap, which appears across the top of each side of the pelvis on an AP or PA x-ray view

Sacral spine – (Sacrum) – the curved triangular bone at the base of the spine

Sacroiliac Joint – the joint between the ilium and sacrum on each side of the pelvis which has a small amount of motion

Schroth Method – a non-invasive, conservative care approach to scoliosis developed in Germany in the 1920’s by Katharina Schroth. The approach consists of multi-step exercises (performed in sequences) and is based on a patient’s particular curve pattern. Exercises incorporate the Schroth proprietary rotational breathing method along with with isometric contractions in locations dependent upon a patients’ unique spinal curvature. Its purpose is to strengthen and balance the scoliotic spine.

Scoliometer – a proprietary name for a non-invasive measuring device used to measure trunk rotation

Scoliosis –a three dimensional condition where the spine deviates laterally -defined by a Cobb angle measurement of 10º or more. There is a rotational component within the curve and a sagittal malalignment of the spine is often present. Scoliosis may cause unlevel hips, shoulders, a rib prominence and other body asymmetries.

Self-elongation-lengthening of the spine by oneself

Severe scoliosis-scoliotic curves with a Cobb angle greater than 50 degrees

Skeletal maturity – a.k.a. spinal maturity – when the Risser sign reaches 5 as measured on an AP or PA x-ray

Spinous Process – the portion of the vertebrae that protrudes posteriorly from the spinal column. The spinous processes create the “bumps” felt down the back of the spine.

Structural curve – a spinal segment with a fixed (nonflexible) lateral curvature

Symmetric spine-the back appears to be equal on either side – showing symmetry

Thoracic (Dorsal) spine – twelve spinal segments (T1-T12) incorporating the 12 ribs of the thorax

Thoracic curvature – a spinal curvature where the apex of a curvature lies between the second and eleventh thoracic vertebrae

Thoracolumbar curve – a spinal curvature with an apex at the twelfth thoracic or first lumbar vertebra

Thoracolumbosacral Orthosis (TLSO) -a type of brace used to immobilize the thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine. This type of brace is used to attempt to prevent progression of a scoliosis curve(s) while a child/adolescent is growing

Ventral flatzone – flattening in the front rib cage

Ventral prominence – a rib protrusion in the front of the body

Vertebra – one of the 33 bones of the spinal column

Vertebrae – more than one vertebra

Vertebral column – collectively, the flexible supporting column of vertebrae separated by discs