Plumb line test

This is a quick visual check to see if the spine is straight. In scoliosis, the plumb line will fall to the left or right of the spine instead of through the middle of the buttocks. Plumb line dropped from the prominent vertebra of C7 (vertebra prominence) measures the decompensation of the thorax over the pelvis. The distance from the vertical plumb line to the gluteal cleft is measured in centimeter and is recorded along with the direction of deviation. If there is cervical or cervico-thoracic curve, the plumb should fall from the occipital protuberance (inion).