Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Concave curvature of the spine
Introduction
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Synonyms and keywords: Swayback; saddle back; hyper-lordosis; hollow back; flat-back
Overview
Overview
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.[1] Two segments of the vertebral column, namely cervical and lumbar, are normally lordotic, that is, they are set in a curve that has its convexity anteriorly (the front) and concavity posteriorly (behind), in the context of human anatomy. When referring to the anatomy of other mammals, the direction of the curve is termed ventral. Curvature in the opposite direction, that is, apex posteriorly (humans) or dorsally (mammals) is termed kyphosis.
Lordotic curvatures of the vertebral column, also known as secondary curvatures are caused mainly because of the difference of thickness between the anterior and posterior part of the intervertebral disc. Those curvatures start to appear during the fetal period, but don’t become evident until infancy.
Excessive lordotic curvature is also called hollow back, saddle back, and swayback. Common causes of excessive lordosis including tight low back muscles, excessive visceral fat, and pregnancy. Loss of lordosis is sometimes seen with painful spinal conditions. If rigid, usually after spinal fusion surgery, it is known as flat-back.
The familiar concave shape of the horse’s back is, by extension, described as lordotic.
Lordosis behavior refers to the position that some mammals (cats, mice, rats, etc.) display when they are ready to mate.
References
- ↑ Gylys, B A., Wedding M E, Medical Terminology Systems, F.A. Davis Company 2005
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Pathophysiology
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References
Causes
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Overview
Causes
- Achondroplasia
- Benign juvenile lordosis (not medically significant)
- Spondylolisthesis
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Differentiating Lordosis from other Diseases
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References
Epidemiology and Demographics
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References
Risk Factors
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References
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
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References
Treatment
Treatment
Surgery | Primary Prevention | Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy | Future or Investigational Therapies
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]