Curvature of the cervical spine. Coloured lateral X-rays of a human head and neck, showing the cervical spine with abnormal curvature (left) and normal curvature (right). The front of the head is at left. The spinal cord, enclosed by the vertebrae, is highlighted within the backbone. It is shown in red at left and in green at right. The normal inward neck curvature is called cervical lordosis, and an abnormal outward curvature of the spine is called kyphosis. It can be caused by degenerative conditions such as arthritis. Treatment depends on the cause.