I.

Definition of Terms

Adolescent scoliosis Spinal curvature presenting at or about the onset of puberty

and before maturity (10-25 years).
Adult scoliosis Spinal curvature existing after skeletal maturity.
Angle of inclination With the trunk flexed 90 at the hips (Adams position), the
angle formed between horizontal and a plane across the posterior rib cage at the
greatest prominence of a rib hump.
Apical vertebra The most rotated vertebra in a curve; the most deviated vertebra
from the vertical axis of the patient.
Body alignment, balance, compensation (a) The alignment of the midpoint of the
occiput over the sacrum in the sagittal plane line. (b) In radiology, when the sum of
the angular deviations of the spine in one direction is equal to that in the opposite
direction.
Cervical curve Spiral curvature that has its apex from C1 to C6.
Cervicothoracic curve Spinal curvature that has its apex at C7 or T1.
Compensatory curve A curve above or below the primary curve, functioning as an
adaptation to the primary curve and maintaining normal body alignment. It may be
structural.
Congenital scoliosis Scoliosis as a result of congenitally anomalous vertebral
development.
Curve measurement two methods are commonly employed.

Cobbs method. Select the upper and lower end vertebrae and draw lines to
represent their transverse axes (usually the superior and inferior endplates,
respectively). From these lines, project intersecting perpendicular lines. The
vertical (not horizontal) angle formed at this intersection represents curve
magnitude. If the vertebral endplates are poorly visualized, a line through the
bottom or top of the pedicles may be used.
Risser-Ferguson method. The angle of a curve is formed by the intersection of
two lines drawn from the center of the superior and inferior end vertebral
bodies to the center of the apical vertebral body; less commonly used.

Dextroscoliosis The convexity of the scoliosis is directed to the right side of the
body.
Double major scoliosis A scoliosis with two structural curves occurring in
different spinal areas.
Double primary scoliosis A scoliosis with two curves occurring in one spinal
areas.

Double thoracic curve (scoliosis) A scoliosis with a structural upper thoracic

curve; a larger, more deforming lower thoracic; and a relatively non-structural
lumbar curve.
End vertebra Segments used to measure curve magnitude. The superior end
vertebra is the segment in which the superior endplate is maximally tilted
toward the concavity of the curve. The inferior end vertebra is the segment in
which the inferior endplate is maximally tilted toward the concavity of the curve.
Full curve A curve in which the only horizontal vertebra is at the apex.
Functional curve A compensatory curve that is incomplete because it returns to
the erect. Its only horizontal vertebra is its caudad or cephalad one.
Genetic scoliosis A structural spinal curvature inherited according to a genetic
pattern.
Gibbus A sharply angular kyphosis occurring over one to three vertebral
segments.
Hysterical scoliosis A non-structural deformity of the spine that develops as a
manifestation of a psychiatric conversion reaction.
Idiopathic scoliosis A structural spinal curvature for which no cause is
established; accounts for up to 80% of curvatures.
Iliac epiphysis (apophysis) The secondary ossification center along the wing of
the ilium.
Iliac epiphysis sign (apophysis sign, Rissers sign) An assessment of
progression of the iliac crest apophysis as seen on the anteroposterior (AP)
radiograph, Graded I-IV, it indicates skeletal maturity. When the progression of
ossification in the iliac epiphysis (apophysia) reaches its ultimate medial
migration, vertebral growth may be complete.
Infantile scoliosis Spinal curvature developing during the first 3 years of life.
Juvenile scoliosis Spinal curvature developing between skeletal age 3 years and
the onset of puberty (3-10 years).
Kyphoscoliosis Lateral curvature of the spine associated with an increased
concavity anteriority in excess of the accepted regional norm. In the thoracic
region. 20-40 of kyphosis is considered normal.
Kyphosis A change in the alignment of a segment of the spine in the sagittal
plane that increase the posterior convex angulation.
Levescoliosis The

Convexity of the scoliosis is directed to the left side of the body.

Lordoscoliosis Lateral curvature of the spine associated with a decreased
anterior concavity, outside of normal range for that region. In a thoracic spine, in
which an interior concavity is normally present, curves < 20 would constitute
lordoscoliosis.
Lumbar curve Spinal curvature that has its apex at L5 or below.
Major curve Designate the larger(est) curve(s), usually structural.
Minor curve Term used to refer to the smaller(es) curve(s).
Myogenic scoliosis Spinal curvature caused by disease or anomalies of the
musculature.
Neurogenic scoliosis Spinal curvature caused by disease or anomalies of the
nervous system.
Non-structural scoliosis (functional) a curve that has no structural component
and that corrects or overcorrects on recumbent side-bending radiographs.
Osteogenic scoliosis Spinal curvature owing to abnormality of the vertebral
elements and/or adjacent ribs, acquired or congenital.
Pelvic unleveling Deviation of the pelvis from the horizontal in the frontal plane.
Fixed pelvic unlevelin can be attributable to contractures either above or below
the pelvis.
Primary curve the first or earliest of several curves to appear, if identifiable.
Rib hump- the prominence of the ribs on the convexity of a spinal curvature,
usually the result ofvertebral rotation, best exhibited on forward bending.
Rotoscoliosis-scoliosis with rotated vertebral bodies.
Structural curve- a segment of the spine with a fixed lateral curvature.
Radiographically, it is identified in supine lateral side-bending films by failure to
correct. There may be multiple structural curve.
Thoracic curve-scoliosis in which the apex of the curvature is between T2-T11.
Thoracogenic scoliosis- scoliosis in which the apex of the curvature .attributable
to disease or operative trauma in or on the thoracic cage.
Thoracolumbar curve- spinal curvature that has its apex at T12 or L1

Bone
Malformation

Abnormal
distribution of
muscle
spindles

Asymmetric
Muscle
Weaknesss
weakness

Lateral
curvature of
spine

Muscle
imbalance

Pain

SCOLIOSIS