Which term is used to describe an excess curve of the spine that leads to a hunchback appearance?

Study for the NARM Certified Professional Midwife (CPM) Exam. Enhance your knowledge with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with explanations. Prepare for success!

Kyphosis refers to an excessive curvature of the spine that leads to a hunchback appearance. This condition involves an abnormal rounding of the back, which can be most noticeable in the thoracic region of the spine. Typically, it can result from various factors, including age-related degeneration, developmental issues, or conditions such as osteoporosis or Scheuermann's disease.

While lordosis, spondylosis, and scoliosis describe different spinal conditions, they don’t refer to the hunchback appearance associated with kyphosis. Lordosis describes an excessive inward curvature of the lower back, spondylosis refers to degenerative changes in the spine, particularly in the intervertebral discs and joints, and scoliosis is characterized by an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine. Each of these conditions affects the spine's shape and structure differently, but none of them produce the distinctive hunchback profile associated with kyphosis.

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