Chapter 2 Lab Prep Sheet Extended via PPT Additional Info

anatomical position

is a standing position, head facing forward and the arms to the side.

Palms facing forward, fingers extended, thumbs pointing away from body

The feet spaced slightly apart with toes pointing forward

anatomical planes

four imaginary flat surfaces or planes that pass through the body in the anatomical position.

median plane

sagittal planes

coronal (frontal) planes

horizontal (transverse) planes

horizontal planes

pass crosswise through the body or body part at right angles to the longitudinal axis

Positioned at right angle to sagittal and coronal planes

divides the body into superior and inferior portions

also called transverse, axial, or cross-sectional planes

projection

Defined as the path of the Central ray as it exits the xray tube, passing through the patient to the IR

identified by the entrance and exits points of the body

sagittal plane

vertical plane passing through the body, parallel to the median plane. divides the body into right and left parts

coronal (frontal) planes

frontal planes passing through the body dividing it into anterior and posterior portions. these planes are at right angles (90 degrees) the the median and sagittal planes

horizontal (transverse) planes

planes passing through the body, dividing it into superior and inferior parts. these planes are at right angles (90 degrees) to the median, sagittal and coronal planes

midsagittal or median plane

vertical plane that passes through the body longitudinally, dividing it into right and left halves. it is also defined as the sagittal plane that divides the body into right and left halves

midcoronal plane

plane perfectly divides the body front to back

oblique planes

any plane that is any type of angle other than horizontal or vertical

pass through a body part at any angle between the previous three planes

Btwn 0-90 degrees

means something is not parallel or a right angle. OBL is ODD angles

Interiliac plane

transects the pelvis at the top of the iliac crest at the 4th lumbar spinous process (L4). utilized for positioning in the lumbar spine, sacrum, and coccyx

occlusal plane

formed by the biting surfaces of the upper and lower teeth with jaw closed

Sthenic

Type of Body Habitus

Hyposthenic

Type of Body Habitus

Asthenic

Hypersthenic

Medial

towards midline of the body

toward the median plane of the body or toward the middle of a body part

Lateral

away from the midline of the body

away from the median plane or away from the middle of a part

external

outside the body

internal

inside the body

superior (cephalic)

"toward the head end of the body" or "higher/above"

Cephalad - central ray angle

inferior (caudal)

"away from the head" or "lower/under"

Caudad central ray angle

anterior (ventral)

front of / in the front. your abdominal muscles are on the X side of the body

posterior (dorsal)

opposite of the anterior; back of/ behind / on the back

proximal

closer to the trunk as compared to another structure

nearer to the point of attachment or origin

distal

farthest away from attachment or origin; farther from the trunk

superficial (peripheral)

closer to the surface of the body or towards the edge

deep (central)

more internal to body

palmar

palm of the hand

hand is supinated

plantar

sole of the foot

dorsum

anterior or top of the foot or the back of the hand

unilateral

involving one side of the body

"uni" = one

RED

bilateral

involving both sides of the body

"bi" = two

GREEN

ipsilateral

on the same side of the body

"ipsi" = same

RED

contralateral

on opposite sides of the body

"contra" = opposite

GREEN

projection

defined as the path of the CR as it exits the x-ray tube, passing through the patient to the IR

identified by the entrance and exit points of the body

antero-posterior (AP)

central ray passes perpendicular to the coronal plane, from anterior to posterior

FRONT TO BACK

postero-anterior (PA)

central ray passes, perpendicular to the coronal plane, from posterior to anterior

lateral

central ray, perpendicular to the sagittal plane and parallel to the coronal plane, passes from one side of the body to the other

travels transversely along the coronal plane

specify side of the body closest to the IR

SIDE VIEW

oblique

central ray passes through the body / body part through a plane which is at an angle to the transverse plane/coronal plane

axial

longitudinal angulation of the central ray toward the head (cephalad) or the feet (caudad)

AP X projection of skull. Central ray enters anterior aspect at an angle and exits posterior aspect.

tangential

central ray passes along side (or parallel to the long axis of the body or part SKIMMING)

CR directed along the outer margin of a curbed body surface

X projection of zygomatic arch. Central ray skims surface of the skull.

Position

upright; seated; supine; prone

Overall posture of the patient or general body position

also refers to the specific placement of the body or part in relation to the table or IR

A) Patient positioned for PA projection of the chest. The anterior aspect of the chest is closest to IRs. (B) Patient positioned for AP projection of the chest. The posterior aspect of the chest is closest to IRs.

View

used to describe the body part as seen by the IR exact opposite of the projection, the preferred term in the United States

EXACT OPPOSITE OF PROJECTION

Refers to the image as seen on the IR (what’s visible in the final radiograph).

In the U.S., “view” is often used as the preferred clinical term when describing the picture rather than the projection.

Example: A PA chest view means the final image looks like it was taken with the patient’s anterior chest against the IR.👉 Think: What does the radiograph actually show?

View: PA chest view (the film/image shows the chest from a front perspective)

method

refers to a specific radiographic projection developed by an individual

✅ In short:The Robert Method = an AP projection of the first CMC joint of the thumb used to evaluate Bennett’s fracture.

1. Robert Method

AP projection of the first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb.

Used to evaluate Bennett’s fracture (base of the first metacarpal).

2. Towne Method

AP axial projection of the skull.

Visualizes the occipital bone, foramen magnum, and petrous pyramids.

3. Caldwell Method

PA axial projection of the skull.

Best demonstrates the frontal sinuses and superior orbital rims.

4. Waters Method

PA projection with OML at 37° angle.

Used for facial bones, orbits, and maxillary sinuses.

5. Grashey Method

AP oblique projection of the shoulder joint.

Demonstrates the glenoid cavity without superimposition.

6. Lawrence Method

Transthoracic lateral projection of the shoulder.

Useful for proximal humerus fractures.

7. Stecher Method

PA axial projection of the wrist (scaphoid).

Angles beam or elevates IR to elongate the scaphoid and avoid foreshortening.

LAO (left anterior oblique)

A patient placed in the X position for PA oblique projection of the chest

RAO (right anterior oblique)

X radiographic position of chest results in PA oblique projection

RPO (right posterior oblique)

X radiographic position of chest results in AP oblique projection.

LPO (left posterior oblique)

X radiographic position of chest results in AP oblique projection.

lateromedial

X projection of forearm. Central ray enters lateral aspect of forearm and exits medial aspect.

mediolateral

Lateral hand with radial surface to IR

True AP or AP Projection

Central Ray Perpendicular to the coronal (frontal) plane

Central Ray Parallel to the sagittal plane

True lateral projection

Central Ray Parallel to the normal plane

Coronal plane for Chest xray

perpendicular to sagittal plane

MCP (midcoronal plane)

perpendicular to IR (IR is on right side)

MSP (midsagittal plane)

parallel to IR (IR is on the right side)

upright

erect or vertical

seated

upright, but sitting on a stool

recumbent

lying down in any position

supine (dorsal recumbent position)

lying on the back

knees can be flexed for comfort

The most common surgical position. The patient lies flat on their back on the operating room bed. The spinal column should be in alignment to the bed. This position is often used for facial, abdominal, and extremity procedures.

prone (ventral decubitus or recumbent)

lying face down

has the patient lying on their stomach, allowing access to the posterior cranial fossa, spine, buttocks, rectum, and posterior lower extremities.

Sims (lateral position)

recumbent with patient lying on left anterior side with left leg extended and right knee and thigh partially flexed

Named after the gynecologist James Marion Sims, this position is usually used for rectal examination, treatments, and enemas. The patient lies on their left side, with right hip and knee bent.

Lateral recumbent (lateral decubitus position)

it is utilized for a variety of surgical procedures including thoracic, hip, and shoulder surgery.

***remember to identify starrting with "left/right X position"

Recumbent position with a horizontal CR Named

according to the body surface on which the patient

is lying

Fowlers

position: supine with the head elevated

When the top of the bed is raised up, the patient's body can be inclined at an angle ranging from 15 to 90 degrees. The legs may be either straight or bent at the knees

Trendelenburg

Supine with the head lower than the feet

the patient is laid flat on their back at a 15-30 degree incline, with the feet elevated above the head. This position is used in surgery, especially involving the abdomen and genitourinary system, as it allows better access to the pelvic organs.

Lithotomy (Position)

where the patient is on their back with legs elevated and supported in stirrups for pelvic/urogenital access.

The patient lies supine (on their back).

The hips and knees are flexed, and the legs are placed in stirrups.

Commonly used in:

Gynecological exams and procedures (pelvic exams, childbirth, hysterectomy).

Urological surgeries (bladder, prostate).

Colorectal procedures.

ventral decubitus

patient is prone & horizontal beam is used

Left X radiographic position of abdomen results in left lateral projection. Note horizontal orientation of central ray.

dorsal decubitus

patient is supine & horizontal beam is used

Right X radiographic position of abdomen results in right lateral projection. Note horizontal orientation of central ray.

Left lateral decubitus

radiographic position of abdomen results of the abdomen results in an AP projection. Note horizontal orientation of central ray

right dorsal decubitus

radiographic position of abdomen results in right lateral projection. Note horizontal orientation of central ray.

lordotic

upright position in which the patient is leaning backward

radiographic position of the chest results

in an AP axial projection. Note that the central

ray is not angled; however, it enters the chest

axially as a result of body position.

Abduction (Abduct)

movement of a part away from the central axis of the body

Adduction (adduct)

Movement of a part toward the central axis of the body

Extension

Straightening of a joint

Flexion

Bending of a joint

Hyperextension

Forced or Excessive Extension

Hyperflexion

Forced overflexion

Evert / eversion

Outward turning of the foot at the ankle

Invert / inversion

inward turning of the foot at the ankle

circumduction

circular movement of a limb

tilt

tipping or slanting a body part slightly

deviation

a turning away from the regular or standard course

Radial deviation of the hand (turned to the

radial side) and ulnar deviation (turned to

the ulnar side).

pronate (pronation)

rotation of forearm so that the palm is down

supinate (supination)

rotation of forearm so that the palm is up

rotate (rotation)

turning of the body or part around its axis

rotation of a limb is either medial (toward midline) or lateral (away from midline)

medial rotation

Rotation toward the midline

lateral rotation

rotation away from the midline

dorsiflexion

Bending the foot upward toward the shin (decreasing the angle between the dorsum of the foot and the leg).

MOVEMENT IS AT ANKLE JOINT

**great for stretching**

toes up

Plantar Flexion

Bending the foot downward (pointing toes, like pressing a gas pedal).

MOVEMENT IS AT ANKLE JOINT

**the foot pedal**

Radial Deviation

Turning or bending the wrist toward the thumb (radius) side.

Ulnar Deviation

Turning or bending the wrist toward the little finger (ulna) side

left ventral decubitus

radiographic position of the abdomen results in a left lateral projection. Note the horizontal orientation of the central ray

oblique positions

Body is rotated so that the coronal plane is not parallel with the table or IR

angle of rotation is specific for anatomy of interest

named according to side and surface of body closer to table or IR

abbreviations: RPO, LPO, RAO, and LAO

right lateral

radiographic position of the chest results in a lateral projection:

a lateral position is named according to the side of the patient that is placed closer to the IR

AP projection of skull

Patient's head placed in upright, supine, and lateral decubitus positions for a radiograph. All three body positions produce:

Right lateral recumbent

position?

ventral recumbent

prone position of body, aka

PA oblique

ID the projection:

RAO radiographic position of chest results in X

lateral

ID the projection:

Right lateral radiographic position of chest results in X projection

Left lateral radiographic position of chest results in X projection.

tangential

ID the projection

X projection of zygomatic arch. Central ray skims surface of the skull.

AP axial

ID the projection:

X projection of skull. Central ray enters anterior aspect at an angle and exits posterior aspect.