Are pulmonary factors responsible for the direction of the spinal curvature in idiopathic scoliosis?
In idiopathic scoliosis the convexity of the thoracic curve of the vertebral column is most commonly directed toward the right side. The right lung is normally larger than the left lung. This asymmetry acting through chest wall movement is hypothesized to exert rotatory forces on the vertebral column. The result, in persons predisposed to scoliosis by genetic and other factors, is a rightward convexity of the thoracic spine.
Del Bigio
M R
MR
Department of Anatomy, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D012399:Rotation; D012600:Scoliosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013909:Thorax / Q000503:physiopathology*