Scoliosis is a condition that can affect any of the spine’s three major sections: the cervical spine (neck), thoracic spine (chest and upper back region), and lumbar spine (lower back). The spine has three natural curves: a slight forward curve in the neck (cervical curve), a slight backward curve in the upper back (thoracic curve), and a slight forward curve in the lower back (lumbar curve). Proper alignment of these curves ensures balance in the spine, shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles, with body weight evenly distributed.
A healthy spine, when viewed from the side, shows these curves in proper alignment, as depicted in the provided diagram. This alignment contrasts with the abnormal curvature seen in scoliosis. Degenerative scoliosis, in particular, is a sideways curve in the spine that measures 10 degrees or greater, developing in adults as a result of spinal degeneration, such as osteoarthritis or spondylosis.
The spine comprises three segments: cervical (C1–C7 vertebrae), thoracic (T1–T12 vertebrae), and lumbar (L1–L5 vertebrae). It features two primary curvatures (thoracic and sacrococcygeal curves) and two secondary curvatures (cervical and lumbar curves). The lumbar and cervical regions exhibit lordosis, an inward curve, while the thoracic region shows kyphosis, an outward curve. These curvatures work in harmony to maintain the body’s center of gravity over the hips and pelvis.
For more in-depth information, please refer to the following sources: HSS Scoliosis in Adults, Harvard Posture and Back Health, HSS Scoliosis, HSS Degenerative Scoliosis, UVA Anatomy of the Spine, OER Anatomy and Physiology, Columbia Spinal Deformities, HSS Kyphosis Overview, and Columbia Flatback Syndrome.
