Educational Content: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Definition of Scoliosis, structural
Medically reviewed by Dr. Otari Nergadze, Neurosurgeon | Updated: January 2026
Scoliosis, structural: A fixed lateral (sideways) curve of the spine. The causes of structural scoliosis include cerebral palsy, polio, muscular dystrophy, Marfan syndrome, infections of the spine, and tumors of the spine. Structural scoliosis is different from functional scoliosis, in which the spine appears to have a lateral curve (scoliosis) but is structurally normal.