Final answer:
The inward curvature of the spine at the low back is known as lordosis, which is an excessive anterior curvature of the lumbar region. This condition is often accentuated by obesity or pregnancy and can be diagnosed by observing the vertebral profile.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the spine curves inward at the low back, this condition is referred to as lordosis. There are various abnormal curvatures of the spine; alongside lordosis, there is kyphosis, which is an excessive curvature of the upper thoracic region, and scoliosis, which is an abnormal lateral curvature of the vertebral column. Lordosis, also known as swayback, is characterized by an excessive anterior curvature in the lumbar region of the vertebral column. This curvature can be accentuated by several factors such as obesity, pathological changes, developmental anomalies, or during late pregnancy when the increased abdominal weight causes an anterior shift in the body's line of gravity, resulting in an exaggerated lumbar curve.
Excessive vertebral curvatures can be identified by observing an individual's vertebral profile from the side and then from behind. If scoliosis is present, asymmetry in the back can be observed when the person bends forward.