Associations between thoracic kyphosis, head posture, and craniofacial morphology in young adults

The aim of the present study was to investigate associations between thorac ic hyper- and hypokyphosis, head posture, and craniofacial morphology in yo ung adults. Using forward bending test and spinal pantographic measurements , 31 subjects, 16 with thoracic hyper- and 15 with hypokyphosis, were selec ted from a population-based cohort of 430 young adults. Lateral roentgen-ce phalograms were taken in natural head posture and craniofacial and postural angular measurements were calculated. Any statistically significant differ ences between the groups-thoracic hyperkyphosis and thoracic hypokyphosis-w ere analysed using Student's t test. Subjects with thoracic hyperkyphosis h ad a larger atlantocervical angle (At/CVT, P < 0.01) than subjects with tho racic hypokyphosis. However, head position (NSL/VER) was similar in both gr oups, probably owing to the visual perception control of craniovertical rel ation. There was no statistically significant difference in craniofacial mo rphology between the groups.