Glossary items beginning with C (6).
Cervical Spine - Seven spinal segments (C1-C7) between the base of the skull (occiput) and the thoracic spine. The normal cervical spine alignment is lordosis.
Cervicothoracolumbosacral orthosis (CTLSO) - A type of brace which immobilizes the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine. This may be used to help stabilize/ prevent progression of scoliosis curve(s) while a child is growing, or to immobilize the spine after surgery.
Coccyx - The last segment of the spine, below the sacrum, also called the tailbone.
Compensatory Curve - In spinal deformity, a secondary curve located above or below the structural curvature, which develops in order to maintain normal body alignment.
Congenital scoliosis - Scoliosis due to bony abnormalities of the spine present at birth. These anomalies are classified as failure of vertebral formation and/or failure of segmentation.
Corpectomy - The surgical removal of all or part of the vertebral body.