Kyphosis is best described as which of the following?

• A. Excessive inward curvature of the spine
• B. Lateral curvature of the spine
• C. Normal curvature
• D. Excessive outward curvature of the spine, causing hunching of the back.

Answer: (D)

Kyphosis is an outward (posteriorly convex) curvature of the spine, most evident in the thoracic region, which gives a rounded or hunched back. The spine normally has opposing curves: the cervical and lumbar regions usually curve inward (lordosis), while the thoracic region curves outward (kyphosis). When the outward curve becomes exaggerated, it’s called kyphosis or hyperkyphosis, leading to the characteristic hunching. In contrast, an inward curvature describes lordosis, and a lateral curvature describes scoliosis. A normal curvature would not be excessively pronounced.