Which option best describes upper cross syndrome?

• A. Lower cross syndrome
• B. Scoliosis
• C. Tendonitis
• D. Upper cross syndrome

Answer: (D)

Upper cross syndrome is a muscle imbalance in the upper body where the chest and some neck muscles are tight while the upper back muscles and deep neck flexors are weak. This pattern pulls the head forward and rounds the shoulders, with tight upper trapezius and levator scapulae and weak serratus anterior and lower trapezius. The result is the characteristic posture and movement limitations you’d expect from UCS. The other options describe different issues—lower cross syndrome involves the hips and lower back, scoliosis is a spinal curvature, and tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon—so they don’t fit the described imbalance.