scoliosis

/ˈskoʊliˌoʊsəs/

/skəʊliˈʌʊsɪs/

When a person's spine curves to the side, he or she has a medical condition called scoliosis.

A human spine, or backbone, is usually straight; when it curves in an S or C shape, it's often because of scoliosis. When a patient is diagnosed with scoliosis, he or she receives physical therapy and sometimes needs to wear a brace that helps to gradually straighten the spine. The Greek word skoliosis literally means "crookedness," from the root skolios, "bent or crooked."

Definitions of scoliosis

1. noun

   an abnormal lateral curve to the vertebral column
   type of:

   spinal curvature

   an abnormal curvature of the vertebral column