Alignment variation terminology

Anteversion:

Abnormal or excessive forward rotation of a structure in the transverse plane, such as femoral anteversion

Kyphosis:

Increased curving of the spine outward or backward in the sagittal plane

Lordosis

Increased curving of the spine inward or forward in the sagittal plane

Recurvatum:

Bending backward in the sagittal plane beyond the normal range, as in knee hyperextension

Retroversion:

Abnormal or excessive back­ward rotation of a structure in the transverse plane, such as femoral retroversion

Scoliosis

Lateral curving of the spine in the frontal plane

Valgus:

Outward angulation of the distal segment of a bone or joint in the frontal plane, as in knock-knees

Varus:

Inward angulation of the distal segment of a bone or joint in the frontal plane, as in bowlegs