dow·a·ger's hump

(dou′ə-jərz)

An abnormal curvature of the spine that is primarily manifested as a rounded hump in the upper back and that typically affects older women. The curvature is the result of collapse of the spinal column caused by osteoporosis.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

dow′ager's hump′

n. Informal.

a type of kyphosis, common in older women, in which the shoulders become rounded and the upper back develops a hump.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

dowager's hump - abnormal spinal curvature that results when osteoporosis causes the spine to collapse; seen most often in elderly women

osteoporosis - abnormal loss of bony tissue resulting in fragile porous bones attributable to a lack of calcium; most common in postmenopausal women

spinal curvature - an abnormal curvature of the vertebral column

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References in periodicals archive

A: Your friend is right that hyperkyphosis (also known as "dowager's hump"), which is characterized by an extreme forward curvature of the spine, may cause pulmonary decline.

Hyperkyphosis and lung function

In a randomized, controlled trial with 99 participants, targeted spine strengthening exercises and a posture training program were found to reduce hyperkyphosis (Dowager's hump) in older adults.

Improve Your Posture and Reduce Your Risk of Back Problems: Getting up and moving around is the best thing you can do for your posture

Given that hyperkyphosis is also associated with bone loss and vertebral fractures, the authors of the article "Patterns of menopausal hormone therapy use and hyperkyphosis in older women" hypothesised that HT may also be effective in helping prevent exaggerated spine curvature, sometimes called dowager's hump.

Hormone therapy may reduce stooped posture for women

Hyperkyphosis (also known as "dowager's hump") affects as many as 20 to 40 percent of older adults.

Common spinal problem may impact your lung health: many older adults suffer from hyperkyphosis, which is also known as "dowager's hump"

One physical issue often associated with aging is called a dowager's hump. The more formal term for this condition is kyphosis.

How to prevent a dowager's hump--and what to do if you already have one

August believes the iHunch (similar to a dowager's hump in the elderly, usually associated with osteoporosis) can result in permanent curvature of the spine and is the underlying problem of most neck and upper back issues and up to 50 per cent of headaches.

Avoiding the 'iHunch'

Spinal fractures are the most common type of osteoporotic fractures and can cause extreme pain, long or short-term disability and Dowager's hump.

Medtronic supports healthy cause

Though she acknowledges the resurgence of critical interest in Mina Loy, in addition to treating her strained relationship to futurism and unique feminist invocation of virginity, Burstein adds fascinating archival examples of Loy's entrepreneurial activities, "intelligent designs" including the devising of a corselet to counter dowager's hump. The New York little magazine, Rogue, where Loy's poetry appeared in conjunction with visual art, offers a fascinating counter as a fashion statement to the mass market Vogue.

Jessica Burstein. Cold Modernism: Literature, Fashion, Art

If my postal delivery person comes down with a case of dowager's hump, I will feel responsible.

Conquering clutter convincingly

It's a short step from there to the spine curving outwards to form a hump - the dowager's hump - that thrusts the head and neck forward and down, making walking painful and difficult.

Can a balloon ease the pain of ageing?

"I have this dowager's hump, low-slung bosom, make-up, and grey wig," she laughs.

Michele's muddles; Oooh Betty! Michele Dotrice is back at the centre of more hilarity and mayhem in Ealing comedy The Ladykillers. The Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em actress talks to Barbara Hodgson about life, love and laughter

had told them that broken bones could be a sign of osteoporosis, the women were not as well informed about other possible consequences, including loss of height, dowager's hump, and disability or immobility.

Bone health not routinely assessed at visits