An abnormal lateral curvature of the spine is called what?

The condition characterized by an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine is known as scoliosis. Scoliosis results in a spine that appears to curve to the side, which can vary in severity and may occur during the growth spurts of adolescence. This curvature can sometimes lead to discomfort or complications with breathing, depending on the degree and location of the curve.

Understanding the other options provides additional context: kyphosis refers to an exaggerated forward rounding of the back, often associated with aging; lordosis describes an excessive inward curvature of the lower back; and stenosis pertains to the narrowing of spaces within the spine, which can cause pressure on the spinal cord or nerves. Each of these conditions has distinct characteristics and implications, but it is scoliosis that specifically describes the lateral curvature of the spine.