Which term describes concave angulation of the spine?

Which term describes concave angulation of the spine?

• A. Neutral
• B. Kyphotic
• C. Lordotic
• D. Scoliotic

Answer: (C)

Concave angulation describes a curvature that bends inward in the sagittal plane. In spine terminology, that inward bend is called lordosis. The cervical and lumbar regions normally show this lordotic (inward) curvature, while the thoracic region has an outward kyphotic curvature. Scoliosis refers to a lateral, side-to-side curvature, not to sagittal concavity, so it doesn’t describe the inward, concave bend. Therefore, the term that matches concave angulation of the spine is lordosis.

Concave angulation describes a curvature that bends inward in the sagittal plane. In spine terminology, that inward bend is called lordosis. The cervical and lumbar regions normally show this lordotic (inward) curvature, while the thoracic region has an outward kyphotic curvature. Scoliosis refers to a lateral, side-to-side curvature, not to sagittal concavity, so it doesn’t describe the inward, concave bend. Therefore, the term that matches concave angulation of the spine is lordosis.