Exaggerated curvature of the spine, in the flexion/extension axis In the thoracic spine, in adolescents, the most common cause of kyphosis is Sheuermann's disease In the elderly, the most common cause of kyphosis is disc dengeneration Localised kyphosis may be caused by collapse of one or more thoracic vertebrae which, in the elderly, may be associated with osteoporosis
Skeletal deformity most common at thoracic spine Posterior convexity of the vertebrae
An exaggerated, forward curve of the thoracic spine (From the Greek work kyphos meaning hunchbacked)
Excessive curvature of the upper spine, resulting in humpback, hunchback or rounding of the shoulders
An abnormal increase in the normal kyphotic curvature of the thoracic spine Round shoulder deformity, humpback, dorsal kyphotic curvature; may refer to any forward-bending area or deformity of the spine
1 The exaggerated (pathologic) AP curve of the thoracic spine with concavity anteriorly; 2 Abnormally increased convexity in the curvature of the thoracic spine as viewed from the side (Dorland)