What is the term for an anteriorly curved spine often seen in elderly patients?

The term for an anteriorly curved spine, particularly in elderly patients, is kyphosis. This condition involves an abnormal increase in the curvature of the thoracic spine, which often presents as a hunched back. Kyphosis can develop due to age-related changes in the spine, such as degeneration of the discs and vertebrae, and is frequently observed in older adults due to factors like osteoporosis and weakened musculature.

In contrast, lordosis refers to the natural curvature of the lumbar region of the spine, where the spine curves inward, rather than the outward curvature characteristic of kyphosis. Scoliosis involves a lateral curvature of the spine and is different from both kyphosis and lordosis. Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal which can cause neurogenic symptoms but is not characterized by the anterior curvature that defines kyphosis. Therefore, kyphosis is indeed the correct term for the anteriorly curved spine frequently seen in the elderly population.