Chapter 1 - Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles

Distinguish the difference between “projection” and “position”.

Projection refers to the path or direction of the central ray, projecting an image onto an IR.

Position refers to the patient’s general physical position (supine, recumbent, prone, erect, etc.)

_________ refers to the back half of the patient, or the part of the body seen when the person is viewed from the back.

posterior (or dorsal)

__________ refers to the front half of the patient, or the part seen when viewed from the front.

anterior (or ventral)

What projection involves the central ray entering the anterior side and exiting the posterior side of the body?

anteroposterior (AP)

What projection involves the central ray entering the posterior side and exiting the anterior side of the body?

posteroanterior (PA)

The following image describes the body in __________________.

anatomical position

The plane in the following image is the _______________.

coronal plane

The plane in the following image is the ________________.

sagittal plane

The plane in the following image is the ________________.

horizontal/transverse plane (or axial)

The plane(s) in the following image is the ________________.

oblique plane

The _______ angle in radiographic imaging is when the X-ray tube is angled toward the patient’s head.

cephalic angle

The _______ angle in radiographic imaging is when the X-ray tube is angled toward the patient’s feet.

caudad/caudal angle

What are the 8 general body positions used in radiographic imaging?

1. Supine - lying on back

2. Prone - lying on abdomen

3. Erect - an upright position (standing or sitting upright)

4. Recumbent - lying down in any position

5. Trendelenburg - recumbent position with the body tilted, head higher than the feet

6. Reverse Trendelenburg - recumbent position with the body tilted, feet higher than the head

7. Left lateral recumbent or Modified Sim’s Position - (for enema tip insertion)

8. Lithotomy - a recumbent position with knees and hip flexed and thighs abducted and rotated externally, supported by ankle supports (mainly used for urinary studies)

When a patient is in a dorsal decubitus position, the patient is lying on their ______.

back

What position is described when a patient is lying down and the central ray is horizontal?

decubitus

Decubitus positions are primarily for checking what?

checking air-fluid levels or free air in a body cavity, such as the chest or abdomen

When the body is divided into unequal right and left halves, which plane is being used?

sagittal plane

What term describes the movement of an extremity towards the midline of the body?

adduction

What term is used when the hand is turned over with the palm facing downward?

pronation

When the body is divided into equal anterior and posterior portions, which plane is being used?

mid-coronal plane

During a radiographic examination, a patient is asked to rotate their leg towards the midline of their body. What is the proper term for this movement?

medial rotation

Which plane divides the body into a superior portion and inferior portion?

transverse plane

In a 45-degree left anterior oblique (LAO) position, which side of the body is closest to the image receptor (IR)?

left anterior side

The midsagittal plane divides the body into…

equal right and left halves

A radiographic technologist positions a patient’s arm so that it is moving away from the midline of the body. Which term best describes this movement?

abduction

What is the term used to describe rolling a patient’s extremity away from the midline of the body?

lateral rotation

In the anatomical position, are the hands considered supinated or pronated?

supinated

How many bones are there in the adult axial skeleton?

80

How many individual body systems comprise the human body?

10 total systems

1. Skeletal

2. Circulatory

3. Digestive

4. Respiratory

5. Urinary

6. Reproductive

7. Nervous

8. Muscular

9. Endocrine

10. Integumentary

How many separate bones are found in the adult human body?

206

Movement in the form of a circle is the definition of __________.

circumduction

The position in which the head is lower than the feet is the ___________ position.

Trendelenburg

Define ipsilateral.

“on the same side of the body or part”

What is the term that describes lying down in any position"?

recumbent

What are the two divisions of the skeletal system?

Axial skeleton - includes the skull, vertebral column, ribs, and sternum (80 total bones for adults)

Appendicular skeleton - consists of all the bones in the upper and lower limbs/extremities, including the shoulder and pelvic girdles (126 total bones for adults)

The ______ refers to the sole or posterior surface of the foot.

plantar

_______ refers to the top or anterior surface of the foot.

dorsal

Describe this projection.

anteroposterior (AP) 

Describe this projection.

posteroanterior (PA)

Describe this projection.

lateromedial projection (wrist)

Describe this projection.

mediolateral projection (ankle)

Describe this position.

recumbent left posterior oblique (LPO)

Describe this position.

recumbent left lateral position

Describe this position.

erect right lateral position

Describe this position.

erect right anterior oblique position

Describe this position.

erect left posterior oblique position

Describe this position.

left lateral decubitus position

Describe this position.

right lateral decubitus position

Describe this position.

dorsal decubitus position

Describe this position.

ventral decubitus position

Describe this special projection.

AP axial (semi-axial) projection

Describe this special projection.

superoinferior axial projection

Describe this special projection.

inferosuperior axial projection

Describe this special projection.

tangential projection

Describe this position.

AP lordotic chest position

Describe this projection and position.

transthoracic lateral shoulder projection (right lateral shoulder position)

Describe this projection.

AP or dorsoplantar (DP) projection of foot

Describe this projection.

axial plantodorsal (PD) projection of calcaneus

Describe this unique projection.

parietocanthial projection (PA Waters position)

Describe this unique projection

acanthioparietal projection

Describe this unique projection.

submentovertical (SMV) projection

________ refers to near the source or beginning, and ________ is away from.

proximal, distal

________ describes an abnormal position in which a part or limb is forced outward from the midline of the body.

valgus

________ describes an abnormal position in which a part or limb is forced inward toward the midline of the body.

varus

_______________ is extending a joint beyond the straight or neutral position.

hyperextension

________ decreases the angle of the joint.

flexion

_________ increases the angle as the body part moves from a flexed to a straightened position. 

extension

____________ is to turn or bend the hand and wrist from the natural position toward the ulnar side of the wrist.

ulnar deviation

____________ is to turn or bend the hand and wrist from the natural position toward the radial side of the wrist.

radial deviation

___________ is a rotational movement of the hand into the anatomic position.

supination

__________ is a rotation of the hand into the opposite of the anatomic position.

pronation

___________ is a movement forward from a normal position.

protraction

__________ is movement backward or condition of being drawn back.

retraction

True or False: Anatomic side markers are legally required in all radiographic images.

True

What is the minimum number of projections that should be taken for most radiographic procedures?

2 projections minimum

What is the minimum number of projections that should be taken when joints are of interest?

3 projections minimum

Define palpation.

the process of applying light pressure with the fingertips directly on the patient to locate positioning landmarks

_____________ is nearer the skin surface, _______ is farther away.

superficial, deep

What are the 3 types of functional joints?

1. Synarthrosis (immovable joint)

2. Amphiarthrosis (joint with limited movement)

3. Diarthrosis (freely movable joint)

What are the 4 main classifications of bones?

1. Long bones

2. Short bones

3. Flat bones

4. Irregular bones

• Sesamoid bones are not counted toward the axial or appendicular skeleton, except for the patellae.

What are the 3 types of structural joints, along with their subclasses?

1. Fibrous joints

• Syndesmosis

• Suture

• Gomphosis

2. Cartilaginous joints

• Symphysis

• Synchondrosis

3. Synovial joints

What are the 7 movement types of synovial joints?

1. Plane (gliding) joints

2. Ginglymus (hinge) joints

3. Pivot (trochoid) joints

4. Ellipsoid (condylar) joints

5. Saddle (sellar) joints

6. Ball and socket (spheroidal) joints

7. Bicondylar joints

What does the term dorsum manus refer to?

the posterior surface of the hand

What does the term dorsum pedis refer to?

the anterior surface of the foot

________ is a lifting, raising, or moving of a part superiorly.

elevation

__________ is a letting down, lowering, or moving of a part inferiorly.

depression

Body habitus is classified into what 4 general body styles?

1. Sthenic - considered to be average in shape and internal organ location. (50% of the population)

2. Hyposthenic - slenderer than the sthenic body habitus (35% of the population)

3. Hypersthenic - broader frame than that of the sthenic body habitus (5% of the population)

4. Asthenic - thin or slender with a long and narrow body build (10% of the population)

What are the 4 basic types of tissue?

1. Epithelial - tissues that cover internal and external surfaces of the body, including the lining of vessels and organs, such as the stomach and the intestines.

2. Connective - supportive tissues that bind together and support various structures.

3. Muscular - tissues that make up the substance of a muscle.

4. Nervous - tissues that make up the substance of nerves and nerve centers.

How many projections (minimum) should be taken for a foot?

3 projections

How many projections (minimum) should be taken for a chest?

2 projections

How many projections (minimum) should be taken for the hips?

2 projections

How many projections (minimum) should be taken for a forearm?

2 projections

How many projections (minimum) should be taken for an elbow?

3 projections

How many projections (minimum) should be taken for a toe(s)?

3 projections

How many projections (minimum) should be taken for a hand?

3 projections

How many projections (minimum) should be taken for a femur?

2 projections

How many projections (minimum) should be taken for the pelvis, assuming no injury is suspected?

1 projection (AP)

True or False: Post-reduction upper and lower limbs generally require only two projections for checking fracture alignment.

True

How many projections (minimum) should be taken for a wrist?

3 projections

How many projections (minimum) should be taken for a tibia-fibula?

2 projections