Posture and Postural Deviations Lecture

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering posture assessment, spinal curvatures, scoliosis classifications, postural sway strategies, and common postural deviations based on the lecture transcript.

Sway back

A postural deviation characterized by increased lumbar lordosis, which increases compressive forces on the posterior side of the lumbar vertebrae.

Flat back

A postural deviation characterized by too little lumbar lordosis, which increases compressive forces on the anterior side of the lumbar vertebrae.

Scoliosis

A spinal curvature occurring in the frontal plane, forming an S-curve or C-curve, most commonly located in the thoracic spine.

Primary curve

The first spinal curve to develop in an individual presenting with scoliosis.

Secondary curve

A compensatory curve in scoliosis that develops as a secondary condition and is typically located opposite to the primary curve.

Functional curve

A scoliotic spinal curve that has flexibility and can temporarily disappear with movement.

Fixed curve

A permanent scoliotic curve of the spine associated with tissue and bone degeneration at the affected vertebral levels.

Rib hump

A prominence detected during a forward bending screening test for scoliosis, resulting from vertebral rotation that accompanies the lateral curvature.

Concave side (scoliosis)

The inwardly curved side of a scoliotic spine where compressive forces are significantly greater.

Convex side (scoliosis)

The outwardly curved side of a scoliotic spine where traction and stretching forces are increased.

Plantar flexors (postural sway)

The calf muscles (gastrocnemius and soleus) that activate to pull the body backward and keep it upright when swaying forward.

Dorsiflexors (postural sway)

The anterior muscles of the lower leg (such as the anterior tibialis) that activate to pull the body forward and maintain balance when swaying backward.

Stepping strategy

A balance correction strategy utilized when a perturbation, nudge, or shove produces a force too large to be controlled by ankle or hip strategies.

Plumb line

A posture assessment tool consisting of a weighted string suspended from the ceiling to check alignment from anterior, posterior, and lateral views.

Lateral malleolus (plumb line reference)

The anatomical landmark at the ankle positioned slightly posterior to the plumb line when initiating a lateral view posture assessment.

Abdominal crease

The landmark corresponding to the waistline that is observed for symmetry during an anterior plumb line posture assessment.

Dowager's hump

A severe form of increased thoracic kyphosis that forms an actual hump, increasing compression on anterior structures and traction on posterior structures.

Torticollis

A congenital condition where an infant is born with tightness in the cervical muscles, often due to confined positioning in utero.