lordosis

Meanings

1. 1noununcountablemedicaltechnical

   An abnormal inward curve of the lower part of the spine, which makes the back look hollow and the stomach push forward.

   Grammar: Used as a mass noun: you say "she has lordosis," not "a lordosis."

   Patterns

   • have lordosis
   • suffer from lordosis
   • lumbar lordosis

   The doctor explained that her lower back pain was caused by lordosis.

   Lordosis is often seen in people who sit hunched over a desk all day.

   In pregnancy, a mild degree of lordosis is normal as the belly grows.

2. 2noununcountabletechnicalbiology

   The natural inward curve of the spine in the neck or lower back, as opposed to an excessive one.

   Grammar: In anatomy this neutral sense is common, especially in the phrase "cervical lordosis."

   Patterns

   • cervical lordosis
   • lumbar lordosis
   • normal lordosis

   A healthy neck keeps a gentle lordosis that cushions the head.

   The X-ray showed loss of lordosis in the cervical spine.

Common combinations

lumbar lordosis

Lumbar lordosis is the inward curve of the lower back.

cervical lordosis

The scan revealed reduced cervical lordosis in the neck.

excessive lordosis

Excessive lordosis can put strain on the spinal joints.

loss of lordosis

Loss of lordosis is a common finding on spine X-rays.

develop lordosis

Some children develop lordosis during a growth spurt.

Synonyms and how they differ

swayback

A plain, non-medical word for an obvious hollow in the lower back; it sounds less clinical than lordosis.

curvature

A general word for any bend in the spine; it does not name the direction, so it is vaguer than lordosis.

Opposites

Word family

lordotic adjective

Relating to or showing lordosis, as in "a lordotic posture."

Commonly confused: lordosis or kyphosis? lordosis or scoliosis?

Practice

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