Identifying Positions and Projections

Identify patient’s position & projection

position:

erect/upright

projection:

PA

Identify patient’s position & projection

position:

Medial rotation

projection:

AP oblique

Identify patient’s position & projection

Position:

Lateral

Projection:

Lateromedial (remember anatomical position - thumb side is lateral with palms up)

Identify patient’s position & projection

Position:

LPU lent posterior oblique

projection:

AP oblique

Identify patient’s position & projection

Identify the patient's position:

LPO left posterior oblique

Identify the projection:

AP oblique

Identify patient’s position & projection

Identify the patient's position:

Left lateral decubitus (note horizontal beam)

Identify the projection:

AP

Identify patient’s position & projection

Identify the patient's position:

dorsal decubitus (note horizontal beam)

Identify the projection: lateral

Identify patient’s position & projection

Identify the patient's position:

supine

Identify the projection:

AP axial (note angled CR)

Give an example of a study that this position may be used for?

Upper GI series

Does this image show a cephalic or caudal angle of the CR?

caudal (angled toward feet)

Identify the projection seen here:

mediolateral

Describe an AP axial projection:

central ray is angled (cephalad or caudad); CR enters anterior surface and exits posterior

Why is a horizontal beam used for decubitus positions?

to demonstrate air-fluid levels (air rises/fluid settles)

What side of the patient is closest to the image receptor when in the right anterior oblique position?

right anterior

What side of the patient is closest to the image receptor when in the left anterior oblique position?

left anterior

What side of the patient is closest to the image receptor when in the ventral recumbent position?

anterior (ventral)

What side of the patient is closest to the image receptor when in the right?

right

If unable to tolerate a recumbent RAO position, what other recumbent position is a patient placed into to evaluate the same anatomical structures?

recumbent LPO (also note the opposite: LAO and RPO show same anatomy)