Classification of spinal curvatures

Spinal curvatures are important and often perplexing clinical problems. Some background information and observations a radiologist should make on patients with curvatures are presented. Basic definitions include: scoliosis, a lateral curvature of the spine; kyphosis, an incrased posterior angulation of the spine; and lordosis, an increased anterior angulation. Angulation greater than 40 degrees is considered abnormal kyphosis in the thoracic spine or abnormal lordosis in the lumbar spine.