Sunday, February, 12, 2012

Scoliosis - Introduction

Table of Contents

Spinal Canal. Each vertebra and its processes surround and protect an arch-shaped central opening. These arches, aligned to run down the spine, form the spinal canal, which encloses the spinal cord, the central trunk of nerves that connects the brain with the rest of the body.

Click the icon to see an image of the spine.
Click the icon to see an image of the sacrum.
Spinal curves Click the icon to see an image of the curves of the spine.
Click the icon to see an image of an intervertebral disk.
Click the icon to see an image of the spinal canal.

Scoliosis is an abnormal curving of the spine. The normal spine has gentle natural curves that round the shoulders and make the lower back curve inward. Scoliosis typically causes deformities of the spinal column and rib cage. In scoliosis, the spine curves from side-to-side to varying degrees, and some of the spinal bones may rotate slightly, making the hips or shoulders appear uneven. It may develop in the following way:

  • As a single primary side-to-side curve (resembling the letter C), or
  • As two curves (a primary curve along with a compensating secondary curve that forms an S shape)

Scoliosis most commonly develops in the area between the upper back (the thoracic area) and lower back (lumbar area). It may also occur only in the upper or lower back. The doctor attempts to define scoliosis by the following characteristics:

  • The shape of the curve
  • Its location
  • Its direction
  • Its magnitude
  • Its causes, if possible
Scoliosis Click the icon to see an image of scoliosis.

The severity of scoliosis is determined by the extent of the spinal curve and the angle of the trunk rotation (ATR). It is usually measured in degrees. Curves of less than 20 degrees are considered mild and account for 80% of scoliosis cases. Curves that progress beyond 20 degrees need medical attention. Such attention, however, usually involves periodic monitoring to make sure the condition is not becoming worse.

Review Date: 04/06/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)