Cervical Lordosis

• The spine is composed of individual bones called vertebrae
• These vertebrae stack upon one another to form the spinal column
• The spinal column provides support, flexibility, and protection for the spinal cord
• The spine exhibits natural curves when viewed from the side
• These curves help with balance, shock absorption, and weight distribution
• There are four main spinal curvatures: cervical lordosis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and sacral kyphosis
• Lordosis refers to an inward curve of the spine
• Kyphosis refers to an outward curve of the spine

Cervical Lordosis

• Cervical lordosis is the inward curve in the neck region
• It consists of seven vertebrae, C1 to C7
• C1, also known as the atlas, connects to the skull and allows for head nodding
• C2, also known as the axis, has a bony projection called the dens that allows for head rotation
• The cervical vertebrae are the smallest and most mobile vertebrae in the spine
• Cervical lordosis helps support the weight of the head and allows for a wide range of head movements
• A normal cervical lordotic curve ranges from 20 to 40 degrees
• Abnormal exaggerated cervical lordosis can lead to neck pain, stiffness, and headaches
• Loss of the cervical lordotic curve can lead to a condition known as military neck or cervical kyphosis

Thoracic Kyphosis

• Thoracic kyphosis is the outward curve in the middle back region
• It consists of twelve vertebrae, T1 to T12
• The ribs attach to the thoracic vertebrae
• The thoracic spine is less mobile than the cervical spine due to the rib cage
• Thoracic kyphosis helps protect the organs in the chest and provides stability for the upper body
• A normal thoracic kyphotic curve ranges from 20 to 40 degrees
• Excessive thoracic kyphosis can lead to a hunched back posture, back pain, and breathing problems, also known as hyperkyphosis
• Scheuermann's disease can result in hyperkyphosis

Lumbar Lordosis

• Lumbar lordosis is the inward curve in the lower back region
• It consists of five vertebrae, L1 to L5
• The lumbar vertebrae are the largest and strongest vertebrae in the spine
• Lumbar lordosis helps support the weight of the upper body and allows for bending and twisting movements
• A normal lumbar lordotic curve ranges from 40 to 60 degrees
• Excessive lumbar lordosis can lead to lower back pain, muscle imbalances, and nerve compression, also known as hyperlordosis
• Reduced lumbar lordosis can lead to lower back pain and stiffness, also known as flatback syndrome

Sacral Kyphosis

• Sacral kyphosis is the outward curve in the pelvic region
• It is formed by the sacrum, which is a triangular bone formed by the fusion of five vertebrae, S1 to S5
• The sacrum connects to the hip bones to form the pelvis
• The sacrum provides stability for the pelvis and supports the weight of the upper body when sitting and standing
• The coccyx, also known as the tailbone, is located below the sacrum
• The sacrum is normally fused in adulthood, creating a kyphotic curve
• Changes in sacral kyphosis are less common but can affect pelvic alignment and lower back pain