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Glite Dictionary
scoliometer

scoliometer

9.5
A tool doctors use to measure how much a spine curves
  • noun
  • /ˌskoʊliˈɑːmɪtər/
  • Specialized
: escoliómetro
  • The doctor used the scoliometer to assess the child's spine for signs of curvature.

Examples

  • The scoliometer device resembles a carpenter's level and contains an air bubble in an enclosed capsule.

    Academic text (2002)

  • The scoliometer is used in conjunction with the Forward Bending test as a screening tool.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Both the scoliometer and the forward bending test measure truncal rotation, and not scoliosis (Grossman et al., 1995).

    Academic text (2002)

  • While both the scoliometer and Adams test have become a part of routine screening in school-age children, the reliability of these as accurate diagnostic tools has come into question (Grossman et al., 1995; Murrell et al., 1993).

    Academic text (2002)

  • During the examination, the therapist explained how the scoliometer could help detect scoliosis.

  • The scoliometer is an essential tool for measuring spinal alignment in patients of all ages.

Surface Forms

scoliometer singular
scoliometers plural

Morphology

scoliometer = meter (opaque) = scolio + meter

The base 'meter' is recognizable, but the medical combining form 'scolio-' is specialized, so the meaning is not readily recoverable for an average learner.

Etymology

Scoliometer comes from the Greek root skolios 'curved' and the ending -meter 'measure'. So, just like a thermometer measures temperature, a scoliometer measures how much the spine is curved, which helps find scoliosis.