Kyphosis is defined as an increase in which spinal curve?

• A. Thoracic
• B. Lumbar
• C. Cervical
• D. Sacral

Answer: (A)

Kyphosis refers to an excessive posterior, or outward, curvature of the spine. The spine normally has two primary directions: the cervical and lumbar regions are lordotic (curving inward), while the thoracic and sacral regions are kyphotic (curving outward). When we talk about kyphosis in a clinical sense, the most common site of the increased curve is the thoracic region, where the thoracic kyphosis becomes exaggerated. This is why the thoracic curve is identified as the one increasing with kyphosis. While the sacral region is also kyphotic as part of the spinal shape, discussions of kyphosis usually focus on the thoracic area, and the curves in the cervical and lumbar regions are lordotic, not kyphotic.