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The term Dowagerâs Hump originated from the Greek word âkyphosisâ which means a hump, and dowager for its technical term meaning âdignified elderly womanâ. A physical deformity resulting in a condition of over-curvature of the thoracic spine (upper back) of our body.
A spine with kyphosis curves back and outward in a C-shape. The thoracic spine has a natural kyphotic curve, but a curve of more than 40 to 45 degrees is considered abnormal kyphosis. The most common cause of kyphosis in adults is osteoporosis. Kyphosis is sometimes called roundback or dowager's hump.