Scheuermann's Kyphosis
	Adult Scoliosis

Developmental conditions of the spine are caused by abnormalities in the formation and growth of the skeleton. Scoliosis and Scheuermann's kyphosis are two examples of developmental conditions that affect the adult spine.

Scoliosis
Viewed from the back, the spine normally appears straight and symmetrical. When viewed from the side, however, the spine is curved. Some curvature in the neck, upper trunk (kyphosis or forward bend), and lower trunk (lordosis or backward bend) is normal. These curves help the upper body maintain proper balance and alignment over the pelvis.

The term deformity is used to describe any variation in this natural shape. Scoliosis, for example, is a form of spinal deformity. Scoliosis is not a disease, however: it is a descriptive term used to describe an abnormal sideways (lateral) curvature of the spine. The vertebrae rotate along with the spine as a consequence of a scoliotic curve. Depending on the severity of the curve, a scoliotic spine may create asymmetries in the shoulders, thoracic spine, and pelvis, leading to an imbalance of the trunk and significant disfigurement. The causes of scoliosis are numerous, yet for the majority of people who have it, the cause is not known.

Scheuermann's Kyphosis
Named after Dr. Holger Werfel Scheuermann, who first described the condition in 1920, Scheuermann's kyphosis causes a person to have a stooped forward or bent-over posture as a result of excessive kyphosis (forward curvature) of the thoracic spine. Although never proven, abnormalities in the endplates of the vertebral bodies are believed to cause this condition. These abnormalities prevent the anterior part of the vertebral body from growing normally, deforming the vertebra, which, in turn, produces a kyphotic curve that can be quite rigid.

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