Lordosis

Lordosis
Inward curvature of the spine. Normally, for example, the low back demonstrates lordosis. The spine is not supposed to be absolutely straight, so some degree of curvature is normal. When the curve exceeds the usual range, it may be due to musculoskeletal disease or simple poor posture. Treatment is usually by physical therapy, although in severe cases surgery, casting, and/or bracing may be required. Also known as swayback.
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An anteriorly convex curvature of the vertebral column; the normal lordoses of the cervical and lumbar regions are secondary curvatures of the vertebral column, acquired postnatally. SYN: hollow back, saddle back. [G. l., a bending backward]
- cervical l. [TA] the normal, anteriorly convex curvature of the cervical segment of the vertebral column; cervical l. is a secondary curvature of the vertebral column, acquired postnatally as the infant lifts its head. SYN: l. cervicis [TA], l. colli.
- l. cervicis [TA] SYN: cervical l..
- l. colli cervical l..
- l. lumbalis [TA] SYN: lumbar l..
- lumbar l. [TA] the normal, anteriorly convex curvature of the lumbar segment of the vertebral column; lumbar l. is a secondary curvature of the vertebral column, acquired postnatally as the upright posture is assumed when one learns to walk. SYN: l. lumbalis [TA], lumbar flexure.

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lor·do·sis lȯr-'dō-səs n exaggerated forward curvature of the lumbar and cervical regions of the spinal column compare KYPHOSIS, SCOLIOSIS
lor·dot·ic -'dät-ik adj

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n.
inward curvature of the spine. A certain degree of lordosis is normal in the lumbar and cervical regions of the spine: loss of this is a sign of ankylosing spondylitis. Exaggerated lordosis may occur in adolescence, through faulty posture or as a result of disease affecting the vertebrae and spinal muscles. Compare kyphosis.

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lor·do·sis (lor-doґsis) [Gr. lōrdosis] 1. a concave portion of the vertebral column as seen from the side. 2. abnormally increased concavity in the curvature of the lumbar vertebral column as viewed from the side; called also hollow back, saddle back, and swayback. Cf. kyphosis and scoliosis.

Lumbar lordosis and protuberant abdomen characteristic of a toddler.


Medical dictionary. 2011.

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Lordosis — Clasificación y recursos externos CIE 10 …   Wikipedia Español

  • lordosis — f. anat. Curvatura de la columna vertebral de convexidad anterior. Hay dos lordosis fisiológicas: la cervical y la lumbar. Se opone a cifosis. Medical Dictionary. 2011. lordosis …   Diccionario médico

  • lordosis — curvature of the spine, 1704, Modern Latin, from Gk. lordosis, from lordos bent backwards. Related: Lordotic …   Etymology dictionary

  • lordosis — [lôr dō′sis] n. [ModL < Gr lordōsis < lordos, bent backward < IE base * lerd , to make crooked > Gael lorcach, with a lame foot] forward curvature of the spine, producing a hollow in the back lordotic [lôrdät′ik] adj …   English World dictionary

  • Lordosis — Lor*do sis, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? bent so as to be convex in front.] (Med.) (a) A curvature of the spine forwards, usually in the lumbar region. (b) Any abnormal curvature of the bones. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lordōsis — (gr.), Rückgrathsverkrümmung nach vorn …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Lordosis — Lordōsis (grch.), s. Senkrücken …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • lordosis — (Del gr. λόρδωσις). f. Med. Corcova con prominencia anterior …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • Lordosis — DiseaseDisorder infobox Name = Lordosis ICD10 = M40.3 M40.5 ICD9 = ICD9|737.2 Lordosis (commonly referred to as swayback, saddle back, or hyper lordosis) is a medical term used to describe an inward curvature of a portion of the vertebral column …   Wikipedia

  • Lordosis — (Del gr. lordosis.) ► sustantivo femenino MEDICINA Curvatura de la columna vertebral con convexidad hacia delante. IRREG. plural lordosis * * * lordosis (del gr. «lórdōsis») f. Med. Torcedura de un hueso con la convexidad hacia la parte delantera …   Enciclopedia Universal

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