Anteversion and Retroversion describe the rotation of an organ or part of it.
Anteversion means rotated forwards (towards the front of the body)
Retroversion means rotated backwards (towards the back of the body)
The version is in comparison to a reference position.
For example, the normal uterus is typically slightly anteverted but in certain cases it may be retroverted.
In musculoskeletal science, the terms are important in hip and shoulder.
For example, in hip the neck of femur is anteverted slightly. An increase anteversion or retroversion can cause problems in the alignment and gait.
Knowing right anteversion is important in designing of arthroplasty implants and placement during surgery.
The acetabulum in a similar manner is slightly anteverted.
I am a volunteer on an archaeological project in England and am doing some research on the femurs of our excavated human remains. I would like to know what is the standard range of the angles of anteversion and retroversion. The measurements I have taken from a very small sample range from -4 to +35 degrees.
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
August 20th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
@Eve Richardson,
I think the range you have got is wider than what we get in clinical studies.
For exact reference you would need to see the existing literature.
Femorla version can easily range from -15 to +60
Dr Arun Pal Singh Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 1:11 pm
@Rita Smith,
Can you provide a reference please.