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The term Dowagerâs Hump originated from the Greek word âkyphosisâ which means a hump, and dowager for its technical term meaning âdignified elderly womanâ. A physical deformity resulting in a condition of over-curvature of the thoracic spine (upper back) of our body.
Hemivertebrae are a congenital deformity whereby parts of the vertebrae do not develop correctly, resulting in wedge shapes. As these wedged vertebrae line up, the spine may form one of three conditions: lordosis, a curvature in the lower back; kyphosis, a posterior curvature; or scoliosis, a lateral curvature. In many breeds, such as pugs, hemivertebrae development is encouraged, as it is responsible for the screw tail.