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Kyphosis

Etymology:

Gr. kuphós: “humpback, bent”

Definition:

An abnormal convex curvature of the spine in the cervical or lumbar regions of the spine (leading one to appear as if they have a hump on their back). Some degree of kyphosis is normal and non-pathological in the thoracic and sacral regions, so an excessive curvature in either of those regions would be described as hyperkyphosis. However, the cervical and lumbar regions normally exhibit lordosis, or concave curvature, and any kyphosis in those regions would be considered pathological.

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