lordosis

American  

[lawr-doh-sis] / lɔrˈdoʊ sɪs /

noun

1. Pathology. an abnormal forward curvature of the spine in the lumbar region, resulting in a swaybacked posture.

2. a posture assumed by some female mammals during mating, in which the back arches downward.

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lordosis British  

/ lɔːˈdɒtɪk, lɔːˈdəʊsɪs /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: hollow-back.  pathol forward curvature of the lumbar spine: congenital or caused by trauma or disease Compare kyphosis scoliosis

2. zoology concave arching of the back occurring in many female animals during sexual stimulation

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Other Word Forms

• lordotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of lordosis

1695–1705; < New Latin < Greek lórdōsis literally, a bending back, equivalent to lord ( ós ) bent backwards + -ōsis -osis

Compare meaning

How does lordosis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• scoliosis vs. lordosis

Example Sentences

Observe the vertebral profile from the side and then from behind to check for kyphosis or lordosis.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Congenital kyphosis is very rare in man, is generally seen in monsters, and when it does exist is usually accompanied by lordosis or spine bifida.

From Anomalies and Curiosities of Medicine by Pyle, Walter L. (Walter Lytle)

The most striking feature is the extreme lordosis, accompanied usually by a secondary and compensatory curve in the cervico-dorsal region, so that the shoulders are rounded, with the head poked forward.

From The Nervous Child by Cameron, Hector Charles

In order to maintain the head erect, the spine above and below the seat of disease becomes unduly arched forward—compensatory lordosis.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander

The normal depression behind the great trochanter is lost, the gluteal fold is raised, and there is often a degree of lordosis which compensates for the flexion.

From Manual of Surgery Volume Second: Extremities—Head—Neck. Sixth Edition. by Miles, Alexander