Kyphosis
/kaɪˈfoʊ.sɪs/noun
An abnormal outward curvature of the upper spine that produces a rounded or hunched back.
Did you know?The term comes from Ancient Greek kyphos, meaning “hump” or “stooping,” and was later adopted into medical terminology to describe spinal curvature.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
κυφός (kyphos)
“Humped, bent forward, or stooping”
Ancient Greek
Greek
κύφωσις (kyphōsis)
“A bending or becoming humped”
19th Century
Medical Latin
kyphosis
“Abnormal backward curvature of the spine”
19th Century
English
kyphosis
“A spinal deformity producing a rounded back”
Modern English
English
kyphosis
“Excessive outward curvature of the upper spine”
Explore more surprising origins