| Terms |
I Definitions |
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| Adolescent scoliosis |
3D deformation of the spine that
appears before the onset of puberty and before skeletal
maturity.
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| Adult scoliosis |
Scoliosis of any cause, which
is diagnosed after skeletal maturity.
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| Anterior fusion |
Fusion of the spine by an anterior
approach by the thorax and/or the retroperitonal approach
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| Cobb Angle |
A method of measuring the size
of scoliotic curves expressed in degrees.
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| Compensatory curve |
In spinal deformity, a secondary
curve located above or below the structural curvature,
which develops in order to maintain normal body alignment.
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| Congenital scoliosis |
Scoliosis due to bony abnormalities
of the spine present at birth. These anomalies are
classified as failure of vertebral formation and/or
failure of segmentation.
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| Decompensation |
In scoliosis, this refers to loss
of spinal balance when the thoracic cage is not centred
over the pelvis.
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| Double curve |
3D curvatures (scoliosis) in the
same spine. Double major curve: describes a scoliosis
in which there are two structural curves, which are
often of equal size. Double thoracic curve: a scoliosis
with a structural upper thoracic curve, as well as
a larger, more deforming, lower thoracic curve, and
a relatively non-structural lumbar curve.
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| Idiopathic scoliosis |
A structural 3D spinal curvature
for which cause has not been established yet.
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| Infantile scoliosis |
3D curvature of the spine that
develops before three years of age.
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| Juvenile scoliosis |
3D curvature of the spine that
develops between the ages of three and ten years
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| Kyphoscoliosis |
A structural scoliosis associated
with increased roundback.
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| Kyphosis |
A posterior convex angulation
of the spine as evaluated on a side view of the spine.
Contrast to lordosis.
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| Lordosis |
An anterior angulation of the
spine in the sagittal plane. Contrast to kyphosis.
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| Lumbar curve |
A spinal curvature whose apex
is between the first and fourth lumbar vertebrae (also
known as lumbar scoliosis).
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| Lumbosacral curve |
A spinal curvature whose apex
is between the first and fourth lumbar vertebrae (also
known as lumbosacral scoliosis).
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| Neuro-muscular scoliosis |
A form of scoliosis caused by
a neurologic disorder of the central nervous system
or muscle.
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| Non-structural curve |
Description of a spinal curvature
or scoliosis that does not have fixed residual deformity.
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| Posterior fusion |
A technique of stabilizing two
or more vertebrae by bone grafting.
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| Primary curve |
The first or earliest curve to
appear.
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| Risser sign |
Used to indicate pelvic maturity,
this refers to the appearance of a crescentic line
of bone formation, which appears across the top of
each side of the iliac crest. Used for global appreciation
of skeletal maturity.
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| Scoliometer |
A proprietary name for an inclinometer
used in measuring the gibbosity (proeminence).
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| Scoliosis |
3D deformation of the spine which,
when measured by X-ray, is greater than ten degrees.
In most of the cases, it also shows a rotation of the
vertebrae within the curve.
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| Spondylolisthesis |
An anterior displacement of a
vertebra on the adjacent lower vertebrae.
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| Structural curve |
A segment of the spine that has
fixed 3D curvature.
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| Thoracic curve |
Any spinal curvature in which
the apex of the curve is between the second and eleventh
thoracic vertebrae.
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| Thoracolumbar curve |
Any curvature that has its apex
at the twelfth thoracic or first lumbar vertebrae.
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| Vertebral column |
Pre-load polyarticular system
composed of vertebrae, separated by discs and bound
together by ligaments.
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