Kyphosis
Bulging (= convexity) of the spine in a dorsal direction in the sagittal plane.
Lordosis
Bulging (= convexity) of the spine in a ventral direction in the sagittal plane.
Scoliosis
Sideways curving of the spine in the frontal plane (= convex away from the median line) with or without torsion of the spinous processes and vertebral bodies, depending on the aetiology of the scoliosis. A mild curving of the spine in the frontal plane may occur without it having clinical relevance.
Gibbus
Asymmetrical bulge or ‘hunchback’. This develops on the convex side of a structural scoliosis. At the thoracic level the gibbus is caused by turning of the vertebrae and deformed ribs. In the gibbus the ribs also bulge more than on the contralateral side. At the lumbar level the gibbus is caused by rotated vertebrae themselves and the covering musculature.
Pelvic tilt
The spine rests on the pelvis. Any change in the position of the pelvis also has consequences for the normal curvature of the spine. In women a forward pelvic tilt to 25° is normal, whereas in men up to 10° is normal.
Pelvic slope
On one side of the pelvis the superior anterior iliac spine, iliac crest and superior posterior iliac spine are positioned higher than on the other side of the pelvis. The cause is often an anatomical difference in leg length. As a result, compensatory functional (non-structural) scoliosis is observed.
Asymmetric pelvis
Apparent pelvic slope; during physical-diagnostic examination one finds asymmetry between both pelvic halves, meaning that there is (limited) asymmetry between the superior anterior iliac spines at the front, which is opposite to the asymmetry between the superior posterior iliac spines. In manual medicine this is called a pelvic twist. The cause can be a unilateral (painful) spasm of the iliac muscle, due to functional disorders of the spine; however, often it concerns an asymptomatic finding, which needs to be differentiated from a pelvic slope.
Reference points
Bony structures (such as scapulae, pelvis) can serve as starting points when determining the position of the spinous processes of the spine. Here, however, the inter- and intra-variability is large due to the variability in the position of the shoulders, the shape of the spine and thorax, and the position of the pelvis. The position of the various spinous processes can therefore only be roughly estimated.
S.I.T. muscles
Visible contours of the shoulder girdle muscles on the shoulder blade: supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor muscles.
Antalgic gait
An abnormal posture that is assumed temporarily by a patient, in order to avoid or reduce pain.
Lumbosacral radicular syndrome
This syndrome is characterised by (radiating) pain and/or neurological disorders in the area served by a spinal nerve root in the buttock, upper and/or lower leg. It can be caused by irritation, traction or compression of the spinal nerve root in question.