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scoliosis

scoliosis

12 7.9
A sideways curve in the spine that makes the shoulders look uneven
  • noun
  • /ˌskoʊliˈoʊsɪs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : escoliosis
  • Despite the USPSTF's stance, 33 US states still either mandate or recommend school-based scoliosis screening.
  • idiopathic scoliosis
  • scoliosis screening
  • scoliosis treatment

Not only my headaches, but I was born with a scoliosis, and this scoliosis started healing.

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Examples

  • The doctor explained that scoliosis involves an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, which can lead to health issues.

  • To treat spondylitis and scoliosis, for example, he designed a plaster-of-Paris body cast for straightening the spine.

    Academic text (1994)
  • A lot of people have been asking me to do a video on my scoliosis surgery so I will do that soon.

  • When I was young, I had this severe bout with scoliosis.

  • The typical medical approach to mild adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is just to watch and wait.

    Blog text (28)
  • She's stressed, she's isolated, her scoliosis is getting worse.

  • The USPSTF does not deny that for some people, scoliosis is a painful and debilitating condition.

    Academic text (2012)
  • In Off Kilter, Linda Wisniewski recounts undergoing the test in eighth grade, when her scoliosis was first detected.

    Academic text (2012)
  • Many teenagers undergo screenings for scoliosis to check for any abnormal curvature of the spine.

  • After her diagnosis of scoliosis, she worked with a physical therapist to manage her condition.

Synonyms

spinal curvature
vsscoliosis
  • Specialized
6.4

A bend in the spine that is not normal and can cause pain or health problems

is specifically a sideways curve of the spine

How Curved

scoliosis
  • Specialized
12 7.9
spinal curvature
  • Specialized
6.4
straight
442 1.0

Surface Forms

scoliosis singular
scolioses plural

Morphology

scoliosis = scoli + osis

The combining form 'scoli-' (meaning 'curved') is not a standalone English word and is unfamiliar to most learners; although '-osis' signals a medical condition, the overall meaning 'abnormal lateral curvature of the spine' is not transparently derivable by an average B1 learner from the components.

Etymology

Scoliosis comes from the Greek root skolios, meaning 'bent', and the ending -osis, meaning 'condition'. So scoliosis literally means a 'bent condition', which helps you remember it is an abnormal curve of the spine.