hunchback

Hunchback refers to a person with a pronounced forward rounding of the upper spine, producing a visibly hunched back. The term is historical and non-technical; in medical contexts, the condition is described as kyphosis, an excessive outward curvature of the thoracic spine. Kyphosis can be present at birth or develop later in life and may result from various conditions or injuries.

Causes include congenital spinal deformities, Scheuermann's kyphosis in adolescents, osteoporosis-related vertebral fractures, trauma, infections such as tuberculosis, and chronic neuromuscular disorders. The severity can range from mild and asymptomatic to pronounced, causing back pain, reduced mobility, and, in severe cases, respiratory compromise.

Diagnosis is usually based on physical examination and imaging such as X-ray, with the Cobb angle used to measure curvature. Treatment depends on cause and severity; options include physical therapy, posture training, bracing for growing children, analgesics for pain, and surgical correction in extreme cases.

In culture, "hunchback" has appeared in literature and media, most famously in Victor Hugo's Notre-Dame de Paris with the character Quasimodo. The term is now considered outdated or potentially offensive by some, with medical terms or specific character names preferred in modern usage.