Lordosis

Lordosis

DiseaseDisorder infobox
Name = Lordosis



ICD10 = M40.3-M40.5
ICD9 = ICD9|737.2

Lordosis (commonly referred to as swayback, saddle back, or hyper-lordosis) is a medical term used to describe an inward curvature of a portion of the vertebral column. [Medical Terminology Systems: A Body Systems Approach, 2005] Two segments of the vertebral column, namely cervical and lumbar, are "normally" lordotic, that is, they are set in a curve that has its convexity anteriorly (the front) and concavity posteriorly (behind), in the context of human anatomy. When referring to the anatomy of other mammals, the direction of the curve is termed "ventral." Curvature in the opposite direction, that is, apex posteriorly (humans) or dorsally (mammals) is termed kyphosis. Some animals (notably horses) have naturally concave, lordotic backs.

Cause

"Lordotic curvatures" of the vertebral column, also known as "secondary curvatures" are caused mainly because of the difference of thickness between the anterior and posterior part of the intervertebral disc. It can also worsen through puberty sometimes not becoming evident until the early or mid-20s.

Excessive lordotic curvature is also called hollow back, saddle back, and swayback. Common causes of excessive lordosis including tight low back muscles, excessive visceral fat, and pregnancy. Although lordosis gives an impression of a stronger back, ironically it can lead to moderate to severe lower back pain. Loss of lordosis is sometimes seen with painful spinal conditions. If rigid, usually after spinal fusion surgery, it is known as flat-back.

The familiar overly-concave shape of the horse's back is, by extension, described as lordotic (hence the nickname "saddle back").

Treatment

Lordosis of the lower back may be treated by strengthening the abdominal muscles and hamstrings. Back hyper-extensions on a Roman chair or inflatable ball will strengthen the back muscles. Anti-inflammatory pain relievers may be taken as directed for short-term relief. Physical therapy effectively treats 70% of back pain cases due to scoliosis, kyphosis, lordosis and bad posture.

Other

Lordosis behavior refers to the position that some mammalian females (cats, mice, rats, and so on) display when they are ready to mate ("in heat").

Footnotes

References

*cite|author=Gylys, Barbara A. and Mary Ellen Wedding|title=Medical Terminology Systems|publisher=F.A. Davis Company|date=2005

See also

* Lordosis behavior
* Kyphosis
* Scoliosis

External links

* [http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article1438.html What is Lordosis?]
* [http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003278.htm Lordosis - MedlinePlus definition]
* [http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article215.html Lordosis - SpineUniverse]


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  • lordosis — f. anat. Curvatura de la columna vertebral de convexidad anterior. Hay dos lordosis fisiológicas: la cervical y la lumbar. Se opone a cifosis. Medical Dictionary. 2011. lordosis …   Diccionario médico

  • lordosis — curvature of the spine, 1704, Modern Latin, from Gk. lordosis, from lordos bent backwards. Related: Lordotic …   Etymology dictionary

  • lordosis — [lôr dō′sis] n. [ModL < Gr lordōsis < lordos, bent backward < IE base * lerd , to make crooked > Gael lorcach, with a lame foot] forward curvature of the spine, producing a hollow in the back lordotic [lôrdät′ik] adj …   English World dictionary

  • Lordosis — Lor*do sis, n. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? bent so as to be convex in front.] (Med.) (a) A curvature of the spine forwards, usually in the lumbar region. (b) Any abnormal curvature of the bones. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Lordōsis — (gr.), Rückgrathsverkrümmung nach vorn …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Lordosis — Lordōsis (grch.), s. Senkrücken …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • lordosis — (Del gr. λόρδωσις). f. Med. Corcova con prominencia anterior …   Diccionario de la lengua española

  • Lordosis — (Del gr. lordosis.) ► sustantivo femenino MEDICINA Curvatura de la columna vertebral con convexidad hacia delante. IRREG. plural lordosis * * * lordosis (del gr. «lórdōsis») f. Med. Torcedura de un hueso con la convexidad hacia la parte delantera …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Lordosis — Inward curvature of the spine. Normally, for example, the low back demonstrates lordosis. The spine is not supposed to be absolutely straight, so some degree of curvature is normal. When the curve exceeds the usual range, it may be due to… …   Medical dictionary

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