Radiographic Procedures: Introduction to General Anatomy, Terminology, & Position Principles

Vocabulary flashcards covering radiographic terminology, patient positioning, projections, directional terms, movements, and body habitus types from Unit 1.

Radiographic Position

The study of patient positioning performed for radiographic demonstration or visualization of specific body parts on image receptors; refers to the patient's orientation.

Radiographic Projection

The direction or path of the CR of the x-ray beam as it passes through the patient, projecting an image onto the IR; refers to the path of the beam.

Radiographic View

Describes the anatomy or body part as seen by the IR or other recording medium (ex. fluoroscopic screen).

Recumbent

Lying down in any position (prone/ventral, supine/dorsal, or on side/lateral).

Supine

Lying on back, facing upward.

Prone

Lying on abdomen, facing downward (head may be turned to one side).

Trendelenburg

A recumbent position with the body tilted with the head lower than the feet.

Reverse Trendelenburg

A recumbent position with the body tilted with the head higher than the feet.

Decubitus

To lie on a horizontal surface, designated according to the surface on which the body is resting (back/dorsal, front/ventral, side/lateral).

Sim's Position

A recumbent oblique position with

• patient lying on the left anterior side

• right knee and thigh flexed and the left arm extended down behind the back

• used for barium enema tip insertion.

Lithotomy Position

A recumbent (supine) position with

• knees and hip flexed and thighs abducted and rotated externally, supported by ankle support

• used in surgical sites for certain urinary studies

Lordotic

Comes from lordosis, denoting curvature of the cervical and lumbar spine. The AP lordotic position is used in relation to a specific AP axial chest projection that demonstrates the apices of the lungs.

Axial Projection

X-ray beam path used to see the long axis of a structure or part (around which a rotating body turns or is arranged); specifically refers to any angle of the CR of 10° or more along the long axis of the body or body part.

Tangential Projection

Describes the path of an x-ray beam where the central ray or projection line skims along the outer edge or surface of a structure (touching a curve or surface at only one point), placing the target area into profile and clearing away overlapping background anatomy.

Anterior Projection

The path of the central x-ray beam as it is directed toward and exits through the front surface of the body part.

Posterior Projection

The path of the central x-ray beam as it is directed toward and exits through the back surface of the body part.

Oblique Position

Refers to an angled position in which neither the sagittal nor the coronal body plane is perpendicular or at a right angle to the IR, angled or rotated relative to the X-ray plate.

Cephalad

Means toward the head end of the body.

Caudad

Means away from the head end of the body.

Inferior

Situated closer to the bottom of the body or directed downward toward the feet relative to another structure.

Superior

Positioned toward the top of the body or higher along the vertical axis relative to another structure.

Proximal

Near the source or beginning; in regard to upper and lower limbs, closest to the trunk.

Distal

Away from the source or beginning; in regard to upper and lower limbs, further away from the trunk.

Plantar

Refers to the sole or posterior surface of the foot; in the anatomic position, equivalent to the posterior or dorsal surface of the hand.

Palmar

Refers to the palm of the hand; in the anatomic position, equivalent to the anterior or ventral surface of the hand.

Pronate

A rotation of the hand into the opposite of the anatomic position (palm down or back).

Supinate

A rotational movement of the hand into the anatomic position (palm up in supine position or forward in erect position).

Flexion

Movement that decreases the angle of the joint.

Extension

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

Abduction

The lateral movement of the arm or leg away from the body.

Adduction

A movement of the arm or leg toward the body, to draw toward a center or medial line.

Inversion

An inward stress movement of the foot as applied to the foot at the ankle joint without rotation of the leg.

Eversion

An outward stress movement of the foot at the ankle joint without rotation of the leg.

Medial

Positioned toward the midline.

Lateral

Farther away from the middle of the body.

Hypersthenic

Body style that has a broad frame as compared with the sthenic body habitus; comprises approximately 5% of the population.

Sthenic

Body style considered average in shape and internal organ location; comprises approximately 50% of the population.

Hyposthenic

Body style that is slenderer than the sthenic body habitus; comprises approximately 35% of the population.

Asthenic

Body style that is thin or slender with a long and narrow body build, slighter (smaller/thinner) in stature than a hyposthenic patient; comprises approximately 10% of the population.

Pharynx

Passageway for food & fluid as well as air, making it common to digestive respiratory systems

Trachea

Also called the windpipe as it connects the larynx to the main bronchi

Larynx

The organ of the voice, produces sound as air passes between the vocal chords. Suspended from the hyoid bone

Bronchi

Structures below the trachea that bifurcate at the carina to form the right and left

Carina

A specific prominence, or ridge, of the lowest tracheal cartilage and marks the division of the trachea into the right and left bronchi

Parenchyma

a light, spongy, highly elastic substance that the lungs are composed of. Allows for the breathing mechanism responsible for expansion and contraction of the lungs

Parietal Pleura

The outer layer of the pleural sac that lines the inner surface of the chest wall and diaphragm

Visceral Pleura

The inner layer that covers the surface of the lungs, also dipping into the fissures between the lobes

Pleural Cavity

The potential space between the double-walled pleura, contains a lubricating fluid that allows movement of one or the other during breathing

Pneumothorax

Air or gas present in this pleural cavity

Hemothorax

Accumulation of blood in the pleural cavity

Apex of Lung

rounded upper area above the level of the clavicles. Extend up into the lower neck area to the level of T1 (first thoracic vertebra)

Base of Lung

the lower concave area of each lung that rests on the diaphragm

Diaphragm

a muscular partition that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities

Costophrenic Angle

the extreme outermost lower corner of each lung, where the diaphragm meets the ribs

Hilum

The central area of each lung, where the bronchi, blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves enter and leave the lungs. Also known as the root region

Mediastinum

The medial portion of the thoracic cavity between the lungs

Thymus Gland

Has a large role in the development of the immune system and is said to be a temporary organ because it is prominent in infancy and located within the mediastinum, inferior to the thyroid gland and anterior to the trachea and esophagus

Atelectasis

A condition in which collapse of all or a portion of a lung occurs as the result of obstruction of the bronchus or puncture or “blowout” of an air passageway

Bronchiectasis

An irreversible dilation or widening of bronchi or bronchioles that may result from repeated pulmonary infection or obstruction

Bronchitis

an acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) condition in which excessive mucus is secreted into the bronchi, causing cough and shortness of breath. The chief cause is cigarette smoking

COPD

a form of persistent obstruction of the airways that usually causes difficulty in emptying the lungs of air; it may be caused by emphysema or chronic bronchitis. The chief cause being smoking.

Cystic Fibrosis

most common of inherited diseases in which secretions of heavy mucus cause progressive “clogging” of bronchi and bronchioles

Dyspnea

a condition of shortness of breath, which creates a sensation of difficulty in breathing most common in older persons. generally caused by physical exertion, but may be caused by restrictive or obstructive defects within the lungs or airways

Emphysema

an irreversible and chronic lung disease in which air spaces in the alveoli become greatly enlarged as a result of alveolar wall destruction and loss of alveolar elasticity. Air tends not to be expelled during expiration, resulting in seriously labored breathing with impedance of gas exchange within the lungs

Epiglottitis

Life-threatening condition, which can develop rapidly most common in children ages 2 to 5.  A soft tissue lateral of the upper airway may demonstrate edema or swelling at the point of the epiglottis

Pleural Effusion

a condition of abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pleural cavity

Pleurisy

Inflammation (usually caused by a virus or bacterium) of the pleura surrounding the lungs. The cause is visceral and parietal pleura “rubbing” during respiration, which results in severe pain. It frequently follows pneumonia or trauma to the chest

Pneumonia

an inflammation of the lungs that results in accumulation of fluid within certain sections of the lungs, creating increased radiodensities in these regions

Pulmonary Edema

A condition of excess fluid within the lung that most frequently is caused by a backup in pulmonary circulation commonly associated with congestive heart failure

Pulmonary Emboli

A sudden blockage in a lung artery, most often caused by a blood clot that travels from the deep veins in the leg or pelvis

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS)

An emergent condition in which the alveoli and capillaries of the lung are injured or infected, resulting in leakage of fluid and blood into the spaces between alveoli or into the alveoli themselves with formation of hyaline membrane

Tuberculosis (TB)

Contagious disease that is caused by airborne bacteria, grouped into primary TB and Reactivated (secondary) TB. Exhibited by Hilar enlargement, along with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes.

Anthracosis

Caused by deposits of coal dust. With long- term inhalation (≥10 years), it spreads throughout the lungs

Asbestosis

caused by inhalation of asbestos dust (fibers), which results in pulmonary fibrosis. It may develop into lung cancer, especially in smokers

Silicosis

permanent condition of the lungs that is caused by inhalation of silica (quartz) dust, a form of sand dust. Patients with this are approximately twice as likely to develop TB

Asthma

Airways are narrowed by stimuli that do not affect the airways in normal lungs. Breathing is labored, and there is increased mucus in the lungs

Histoplasmosis

Infection caused by inhaling spores of the fungus histoplasma capsulatum, which thrives in damp soil containing bird or bat droppings

Subcutaneous Emphysema

a medical condition where air or gas becomes trapped in the layer of tissue directly beneath the skin

Bronchogenic Carcinoma

The most common malignant lung neoplasm arising from the mucosa of the bronchial tree

Situs Inversus

The reversal of thoracic and abdominal viserca

C5-7

approximate level of the Thyroid Gland

Alveoli

A grapelike sac where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the blood

The four structures located in the mediastinum

thymus gland, heart and great vessels, trachea and esophagus

Structures of lower respiratory system

Trachea, bronchi and bronchioles