RadPos Trigger 1

Anatomical Position

A person is standing erect with the head, eyes and toes pointing forward, feet together with arms by the side. The palms of the hands are also point forward.

Radiographic positioning

Tthe study of patient positioning performed for radiographic demonstration or visualization of specific body parts on image receptors (IRs).

X-ray film

Specifically refers to the physical piece of material on which a latent (non processed) radiographic image is stored.

Image receptor (IR)

• The device that captures the radiographic image that exits the patient;

• refers to both film-screen cassettes and digital acquisition devices.

Central ray (CR)

Refers to the center-most portion of the x-ray beam emitted from the x-ray tube; the portion of the x-ray beam that has the least divergence.

Radiography

The process of recording an image of a body part using one or more types of image receptors (IRs) (cassette/ film, cassette/phosphor plate, or fluoroscopic screen/TV).

Plane

• A flat surface passed through the body or a portion of the body.

• These slice through the body at designated levels from all directions

• Used in radiographic positioning to center a body part to the image receptor (IR) or central ray and to ensure that the body part is properly oriented and aligned with the IR

  • Body ______ are used in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US) to identify the orientation of anatomic cuts or slices demonstrated in the procedure.

1. Longitudinal planes

2. Horizontal plane

Body planes are divided into:

1. Coronal

2. Sagittal

Longitudinal planes include:

Transverse

Horizontal planes include:

Sagittal Plane (Median plane)

• A vertical plane running from front to back;

• Divides the body or any of its parts into right and left sides.

• Any plane parallel to the midsagittal or median plane

Midsagittal plane

• A specific sagittal plane that passes through the midline of the body and divides it into equal right and left halves

• Sometimes called the median plane

Coronal or (Frontal)

• A vertical plane running from side to side;

• Divides the body or any of its parts into anterior and posterior portions.

• It is called so because it passes approximately through the coronal suture of the skull.

• Any plane parallel to the midcoronal or frontal plane

Midcoronal plane

• A specific coronal plane that passes through the midline of the body, dividing it into equal anterior and posterior halves

  • This plane is often referred to as the midaxillary plane.

Axial Plane (Transverse Plane or Horizontal plane)

• A horizontal plane passes crosswise through the body or a body part at right angles to the longitudinal axis.

• It is positioned at a right angle to the sagittal and coronal planes

• Divides the body or any of its parts into upper and lower parts.

Oblique Plane

A longitudinal or transverse plane that is at an angle or slant and is not parallel to the sagittal, coronal, or horizontal plane.

Longitudinal sections

• These sections or images run lengthwise in the direction of the long axis of the body or any of its parts, regardless of the position of the body (erect or recumbent).

• ___________ or images may be taken in the sagittal, coronal, or oblique plane

Transverse or axial sections (cross-sections)

Sectional images are at right angles along any point of the longitudinal axis of the body or its parts.

Sagittal, coronal, and axial images

CT, MRI, and sonography images are obtained in these three common orientations or views.

1. Interiliac plane

2. Occlusal plane

Two special planes are used in radiographic positioning. These planes are localized to a specific area of the body only.

Interiliac plane

• Transects the pelvis at the top of the iliac crests at the level of the fourth lumbar spinous process.

• It is used in positioning the lumbar spine, sacrum, and coccyx.

Occlusal plane

• Formed by the biting surfaces of the upper and lower teeth with the jaws closed.

• It is used in positioning of the odontoid process and sorne head projections.

Base plane of skull

• This precise transverse plane is formed by connecting the lines from the infraorbital margins (inferior edge of bony orbits) to the superior margin of the external auditory meatus (EAM), the external opening of the ear.

• This sometimes is called the Frankfort horizontal plane,

  • as used in orthodontics and cranial topography to measure and locate specific cranial points or structures.

1. Base plane of skull

2. Occlusal plane

Planes of the Skull include:

Lateral

• Away from the midline of the body (On the outer side of)

• e.g. the arms are ______ to the chest.

Medial

• Near to the midline of the body (On the Inner side of)

• e.g. the chest is _______ to the arms.

Superior ( cephalic/ cranial)

• Towards the head end or towards the upper part of a structure (above) e.g.

• The head is ________ to the chest.

Inferior (Caudal)

• Away from the head end or towards the lower part of a structure (Below)

• e.g. the abdomen is _________ to the chest.

Anterior (ventral)

• Towards or at front of the body (in front of)

• e.g. The sternum is ________ to the spine.

Posterior (Dorsal)

• Towards or at the back of the body (Behind)

• e.g. The heart is _______ to the sternum.

Proximal

• Close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk

• e.g. The knee is _______ to the ankle.

Distal

• Farther or away from the origin of the body part or the attachment of a limb to the trunk

• e.g. The forearm is ______ to the arm.

Superficial

• Towards or at the body surface

• e.g. The skin is _________ to the skeletal muscles

Deep

• Away from the body surface (more internal)

• e.g. The skeletal muscles are _______ to the skin

Caudad

Refers to parts away from the head of the body

Cephalad

Refers to parts toward the head of the body

Central

Refers to midarea or main part of an organ

Peripheral

Refers to parts at or near the surface, edge, or outside of another body part

External

Refer to parts outside an organ or on the outside of the body

Internal

Refer to parts within or on the inside of an organ

Parietal

Refers to the wall or lining of a body cavity

Visceral

Refers to the covering of an organ

Ipsilateral

Refers to a part or parts on the same side of the body

Contralateral

Refers to a part or parts on the opposite side of the body

Palmar

Refer to the palm of the hand

Plantar

Refers to sole of the foot

Dorsum

Refer to the top or anterior surface of the foot, or to the back or posterior surface of the hand.

Body Movement Terminology

These terms are often used in positioning descriptions and in the patient history provided to the radiographer by the referring physician.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body or body part.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body or body part.

Flexion

Decrease in the angle of a joint by bending

Extension

Increase in the angle of joint or straightening of a joint

Hyperextension

Forced or excessive extension of a limb or joints

Hyperflexion

Forced overflexion of a limb or joint

Inversion

Turning of foot inward at the ankle joint.

Eversion

Turning of the foot outward at the ankle joint.

Pronation

Turning the hand so that the palm is down or onto one's stomach

Supination

Turning the hand so the palm is facing upward or turning onto one's back.

Rotate/rotation

• Turning or ________ of the body or a body pan around its axis

• _______ of a limb will be either medial (toward the midline of the body from the anatomic position

• Or lateral (away from the midline of the body from the anatomic position;

Circumduction

Circular movement of a limb

Tilt

• Tipping or slanting a body pan slightly.

• Is in relation to the long axis of the body

Deviation

A turning away from the regular standard or course

Erect "upright"

Position when the Sagittal and coronal planes of the body are perpendicular to the horizon

Recumbent "lying down"

• Position when the transverse plane of the body is perpendicular to the horizon

• General meanings are the same "LYING DOWN"

Fowler's Position

• A person is sitting leaning slightly back 45^o - 90^o

• Legs may either be straight or bent.

Trendelenburg Position

A person is lying supine with head slightly lower than their feet.

Sim's Position

A near lateral Left anterior oblique (Left ____) OR right anterior oblique with the top leg in front the lower leg.

Seated

Upright position in which the patient is sitting on a chair or stool

Lithotomy position

A supine position with the knees and hip flexed and thighs abducted and rotated externally, supported by ankle supports.

• Supine (dorsal recumbent position)

• Prone (ventral recumbent position)

• Lateral recumbent

Recumbent Positions include:

Supine (dorsal recumbent position)

Lying down on the back

Prone (ventral recumbent position)

Lying face down

Lateral recumbent

lying down on the side

Decubitus

• General meanings are the same "LYING DOWN"

• But in radiography, ________ has a special meaning,

• Patient is lying down & the x-ray beam is parallel to the horizon

• Ventral decubitus

• Dorsal decubitus

• Lateral decubitus (Right or Left)

Three primary decubitus positions are named according to the body surface on which the patient is lying:

Ventral decubitus

• Patient is prone,

• Cassette (IR) is vertical & a horizontal beam is used

Dorsal decubitus

• Patient is supine,

• Cassette (IR) is vertical & a horizontal beam is used

Lateral decubitus (Right or Left)

• Patient lying on the left lateral side,

• Cassette (IR) is vertical & a horizontal beam is used

• Most often used to demonstrate the presence of air-fluid levels or free air in the chest and abdomen

Oblique (Erect or Recumbent)

• Position when the body is rotated so that the MSP is neither nor to the film but at an angle.

• Exact position is indicated by the surface closest to the film and the angle of rotation.

• May be erect or recumbent.

• Abbreviations:

  • RPO, LPO, RAO, LAO

Posterior erect

Patient is standing with the posterior surface of the body next to the cassette

Left lateral erect

Patient is standing with the left side of the body next to the cassette

Lordotic position

• Achieved by having the patient lean backward while in the upright body position so that only the shoulders are in contact with the IR.

• An angulation forms between the central ray and the long axis of the upper body, producing an AP axial projection.

• This position is used for the visualization of pulmonary apices

Position

• Used only when referring to the placement of the patient's body.

• Used in two ways in radiology.

  • One way identifies the overall posture of the patient or the general body position.

    • The patient may, for example, be described as upright, seated, or supine.

  • The other use of ________ refers to the specific placement of the body part in relation to the radiographic table or IR during imaging

View

• Used to describe the body part as seen by the IR.

• Use of this term is restricted to the discussion of a finished radiograph or image.

• _____ and projection are exact opposites.

Method

• Some radiographic projections and procedures are named after individuals (e.g., Water or Towne) in recognition of their development of a _______ to demonstrate a specific anatomic part.

• Describes the specific radiographic projection that the individual developed.

• Specifies the x-ray projection and body position, and it may include specific items such as IR and central ray position.

1. Projection

2. Position

3. View

4. Method

The following are the four positioning terms most commonly used in radiology:

Projection

• Refers to the path the x-ray beam takes through a part

• Educators and clinicians are encouraged to generally use this term when describing any examination performed.

• The only term that accurately describes how the body part is being examined.

• Can also be defined by the relationship formed between the central ray and the body as the central ray passes through the entire body or body part.

True projections

• The term true (true AP, true PA, and true lateral) is often used in clinical practice.

• True is used to specifically indicate that the body part must be placed exactly in the anatomic position.

Anteroposterior projection (AP)

• Beam enters the front surface and exits the back surface of the part

• The patient is shown in the supine or dorsal recumbent body position.

• Can also be achieved with upright, seated, or lateral decubitus positions.

Posteroanterior projection (PA)

• Beam enters the back and exits the front of the part

• Can also be achieved with seated, prone (ventral recumbent), and lateral decubitus positions.

Lateral projection

• A perpendicular central ray enter one side of the body or body part, passes transversely along the coronal plane, and exits on the opposite side.

• Can enter from either side of the body or body part a needed for the examination.

• _______ of the limbs are further clarified by the term lateromedial or mediolateral to indicate the sides entered and exited by the central ray

Transthoracic projection

A unique lateral projection used for shoulder radiography

• Torso (Trunk) and head

• Right to left lateral projection

• Left to right lateral projection

• Extremities (Limbs)

• Mediolateral projection

• Lateromedial projection

Lateral Projections include:

• Axial Projection

• Tangential Projection

Special Projections include:

• Right to left lateral projection

• Left to right lateral projection

Axial Projection include:

• Mediolateral projection

• Lateromedial projection

Tangential projection include:

Axiolateral projections

Also use angulations of the central ray, but the ray enters and exits through lateral surfaces of the entire body or body part.

Body habitus

• The common variation in the shape of the human body.

• Not an indication of disease or other abnormality, and it is not determined by the body fat or physical condition of the patient.

• Simply a classification of the four general shapes of the trunk of the human body

• Lungs

• Diaphragm

• Stomach

• Colon

• Gallbladder

Body habitus directly affects the location of the following:

1. Sthenic

2. Hyposthenic

3. Asthenic

4. Hypersthenic

The four major types of body habitus: