different between kyphosis vs hunchback

English

Alternative forms

• cyphosis (dated)

Etymology

From Ancient Greek ????? (kuphós, “humpback, bent”) +? -osis

Noun

kyphosis (countable and uncountable, plural kyphoses)

1. (anatomy) The normal convex curvature of the spine in the thoracic and sacral regions.
2. (pathology) An abnormal convex curvature of the spine in the cervical or lumbar regions of the spine.

   Synonyms: roundback, Kelso's hunchback

Usage notes

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.

Related terms

• hyperkyphosis
• hypokyphosis
• kyphometer
• kyphotic
• rekyphosis

Translations

See also

• gibbous
• humpback
• hunchback
• lordosis
• scoliosis

Further reading

• kyphosis on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

English

Etymology

Back-formation from hunchbacked.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?h?nt?bæk/

Noun

hunchback (plural hunchbacks)

1. One who is stooped or hunched over.
2. A deformed upper spinal column in the shape of a hump in the back.
3. (derogatory) A person with kyphosis, a spinal deformity that causes a hunched over appearance.

Synonyms

• humpback
• stooped

Derived terms

• hunchbacked

Translations