posture /pos·ture/ (pos´choor) the attitude of the body.pos´tural
posture
posture [pos´chur]
pos·ture (p s ch r)n. 1. A position of the body or of body parts. 2. A characteristic or prescribed way of bearing one's body; carriage. |
posture
[pos′chər]
Etymology: L, ponere, to place
the position of the body with respect to the surrounding space. A posture is determined and maintained by coordination of the various muscles that move the limbs, by proprioception, and by the sense of balance.
posture [pos´chur]
an attitude of the body. Good posture cannot be defined by a rigid formula; it is usually considered to be the natural and comfortable bearing of the body in normal, healthy persons. This means that in a standing position the body is naturally, but not rigidly, straight, and that in a sitting position the back is comfortably straight. Good standing and sitting posture helps promote normal functioning of the body's organs and increases the efficiency of the muscles, thereby minimizing fatigue.
Maintenance of good posture for a patient confined to bed or wheelchair is essential to the patient's general well-being and also is important in the prevention of deformities of the muscles and bones. The patient should be observed for evidence of “slumping,” in which the normal curves of the spine are exaggerated. The rib cage should be supported so that the ribs are elevated and there is no constriction of the chest wall. Pillows are arranged under the shoulders and head so that the chin is not forced downward on the chest. Excessive extension of the ankles should be avoided by adequate support against the soles of the feet. The legs should be supported so that the weight of one does not fall on the other. The arms are supported so that they do not lie across the chest or pull the shoulders into a rounded position. Frequent changing of position and adequate exercise of the limbs are also essential to the maintenance of good posture and the prevention of deformities.
Maintenance of good posture for a patient confined to bed or wheelchair is essential to the patient's general well-being and also is important in the prevention of deformities of the muscles and bones. The patient should be observed for evidence of “slumping,” in which the normal curves of the spine are exaggerated. The rib cage should be supported so that the ribs are elevated and there is no constriction of the chest wall. Pillows are arranged under the shoulders and head so that the chin is not forced downward on the chest. Excessive extension of the ankles should be avoided by adequate support against the soles of the feet. The legs should be supported so that the weight of one does not fall on the other. The arms are supported so that they do not lie across the chest or pull the shoulders into a rounded position. Frequent changing of position and adequate exercise of the limbs are also essential to the maintenance of good posture and the prevention of deformities.
A, Left, Good sitting posture: the spine and feet are in normal positions and the weight of the body is equally distributed. Right, Slouching puts too much weight on the end of the spine, compresses internal organs, strains muscles, and interferes with the circulation in the legs. B, Correct standing posture, center, is easy and natural. The chest is slightly raised and the buttocks are tucked in. Left, Too rigid posture. Keeping the spine unnaturally straight can cause strain on the knees and back muscles. Right, Slumping can lead to backache and round shoulders.
posture,
n body mass distribution in relation to the force of gravity.
posture
an attitude of the body. Good posture cannot be defined by any rigid formula. It is usually considered to be the natural and comfortable bearing of the body in normal, healthy animals. This generally means that in a standing position the body is naturally, but not rigidly, straight with the four legs evenly placed below the body, the back straight and the head held up so that the eyes look directly ahead. The position of the ears varies with the mental state of the animal. Continuous or frequent departure from this norm may indicate the need to look further for overt signs of disease.
posture abnormality
includes sternal or lateral recumbency, head deviation or rotation, head-pressing, dog-sitting, arched back.
kangaroo posture
one which mimics the characteristic pose of kangaroos, sitting upright on the hindquarters with front legs held against the chest. Adopted by some cats affected by the spinal exostoses of hypervitaminosis A.
praying posture
one in which the forequarters are close to the ground while the hindquarters are elevated by extension of the hindlegs. Assumed in dogs and cats, often because of abdominal pain.
sawhorse posture
one in which the feet are placed wider apart than would normally be required to remain standing. Seen in tetanus and neurological diseases in which there are proprioceptive deficits.
posture
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