Radiograph measuring, positioning, and landmarks

Where to measure for abdominal radiographs?

Caudal aspect of the 13th rib at the thickest part

borders for abdominal radiographs?

1inch past xiphoid to greater trochanter

Where to measure for thoracic radiographs?

caudal border of the scapula over the thickest part of the thorax

Where to center the beam on lateral thoracic radiographs?

caudal border of scapula between the 5th and 6th ribs

borders for thoracic radiographs?

thoracic inlet to few centimeters past the last rib (include all ribs)

Where to center the beam on VD/DV thoracic radiographs?

midline over superimposed spine and sternum at caudal margin of scapula or between 5th and 6th rib

Where to center the beam on scapula radiographs?

Center of scapula

What are the borders for lateral scapula radiographs?

proximal to shoulder joint to past caudal border of scapula

What are the borders for caudocranial scapula radiographs?

1 inch cranial to acromion process of scapular spine to

caudal border of scapula (about 8th rib)

Where to center the beam on shoulder radiographs?

scapulohumeral articulation (shoulder joint)

What are the borders for shoulder radiographs?

Distally: distal third of scapula

Proximally: proximal third of humerus

Where to center the beam on humerus radiographs?

midshaft of the humerus

What are the borders for humerus radiographs?

Proximal: include shoulder joint

Distal: include elbow joint

Where to center the beams on elbow radiographs?

palpate and center on distal humeral condyles (elbow)

What are the borders for elbow radiographs?

Distal: distal third of humerus

Proximal: proximal third of radius/ulna

Where to center the beam on ulna/radius radiographs?

midshaft of radius/ulna

What are the borders for ulna/radius radiographs?

Proximal: include elbow joint

Distal: include carpal joint

Where to center the beam on foot (carpus) radiographs?

middle row of carpal bones

What are the borders for a foot (carpus) radiograph?

distal third of radius and ulna to proximal third of metacarpus

Where to center the beam on metacarpus/ phalange radiographs?

center of phalangeal-metacarpal articulation

What are the borders for metacarpus/phalange radiographs?

carpus proximally to distal phalanges

Where to measure for ulna/radius radiographs?

Site of the distal humerus

Where to measure for elbow radiographs?

thickest part of elbow at distal humerus

Where to measure for humerus radiographs?

toward the proximal humerus at the level of the shoulder joint

Where to measure for shoulder radiographs?

level of shoulder joint

Where to measure for scapula radiographs?

level of scapulohumeral articulation (shoulder joint)

Borders for cervical rads?

Base of skull to just past the shoulder joint(T2)

where to measure for cervical vertebrae rads?

thoracic inlet

borders for thoracic vertebrae rads?

C7 (shoulder joint) to L1 (past the origin of the last rib)

where to measure for thoracic vertebrae rads?

highest point of the sternum

where to measure for thoracolumbar vertebrae rads?

highest point of the ribs

what are the borders for thoracolumbar vertebrae rads?

xyphoid to the most caudal portion of the last rib

where to measure for lumbar vertebrae rads?

level of L1

what are the borders for lumbar vertebrae rads?

T12 (origin of last rib) to just right before the S1 (greater trochanter)

where to measure for Lumbosacral Vertebrae rads?

wings of ilia

what are the borders for Lumbosacral Vertebrae rads?

L4 (cranial wings of ilia) to femoral heads

where to measure for Coccygeal Vertebrae rads?

thickest part of the tail

borders for Coccygeal Vertebrae rads?

Four of five vertebrae on either side of the area of interest or the full tail