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X-ray, MRI, CT Scan Lordosis is historically defined as an abnormal inward curvature of the lumbar spine . [ 1 ] [ 2 ] However, the terms lordosis and lordotic are also used to refer to the normal inward curvature of the lumbar and cervical regions of the human spine .
Kyphosis (from Greek κυφός (kyphos) 'hump') is an abnormally excessive convex curvature of the spine as it occurs in the thoracic and sacral regions. [1] [2] Abnormal inward concave lordotic curving of the cervical and lumbar regions of the spine is called lordosis.
However, the cervical spine is comparatively mobile, and some component of this movement is due to flexion and extension of the vertebral column itself. This movement between the atlas and occipital bone is often referred to as the "yes joint", owing to its nature of being able to move the head in an up-and-down fashion.
The upper cervical spine has a curve, convex forward, that begins at the axis (second cervical vertebra) at the apex of the odontoid process or dens and ends at the middle of the second thoracic vertebra; it is the least marked of all the curves. This inward curve is known as a lordotic curve. A thoracic spine X-ray of a 57-year-old male.
Retrolistheses are most easily diagnosed on lateral x-ray views of the spine. Views where care has been taken to expose for a true lateral view without any rotation offer the best diagnostic quality. Retrolistheses are found most prominently in the cervical spine and lumbar region but can also be seen in the thoracic area.
Thus when X-ray findings are normal but SCI is still suspected due to pain or SCI symptoms, CT or MRI scans are used. [89] CT gives greater detail than X-rays, but exposes the patient to more radiation , [ 91 ] and it still does not give images of the spinal cord or ligaments; MRI shows body structures in the greatest detail. [ 10 ]
It represents <1% of all cervical spine injuries. [1] Several subtypes of atlanto-occipital dislocation are known. One suggested categorization scheme includes anterior, vertical and posterior of the head relative to the spine. Other variants with lateral or rotatory displacement have been described, as well as mixed types.
Looking directly at the front or back of the body, the 33 vertebrae in the spinal column should appear completely vertical. From a side view, the cervical (neck) region of the spine (C1–C7) is bent inward, the thoracic (upper back) region (T1–T12) bends outward, and the lumbar (lower back) region (L1–L5) bends inward.