Upper Extremity Positioning Review

Flashcards covering key concepts and principles related to upper extremity positioning, including methodology and anatomy relevant for radiographic techniques.

AP Elbow

Arm extended with hand supinated, shoulder, elbow, and wrist in the same plane.

Lateral Elbow

Arm flexed 90 degrees with lateral side of hand pointing to the ceiling.

Medial (Internal) Oblique Elbow

Arm extended with hand pronated and elbow epicondyles in a 45-degree oblique.

Lateral (External) Oblique Elbow

Arm extended with hand supinated and external rotation at the shoulder.

AP Partial Flexion Elbow - Humerus Side

Elbow and wrist in same plane with shoulder elevated.

AP Partial Flexion Elbow - Radius & Ulna Side

Shoulder and elbow in same plane with wrist elevated.

Axial Lateral Elbow Coyle Method

Flex elbow 90 degrees for radial head, 80 degrees for coronoid process.

AP Humerus

Standing at upright bucky with arm in anatomical position.

Lateral Humerus

Flex elbow 90 degrees with posterior surface of hand on hip.

Scapula

Flat bone with a triangular shape, has dorsal and costal surfaces.

Clavicle

Long bone with a double curve located above the 1st rib.

Shoulder Joint

A diarthrodial joint with ball and socket movement.

Humerus Anatomy

Includes proximal head, anatomic neck, surgical neck, greater tubercle, and lesser tubercle.

Glenohumeral Joint

Articulation between humerus and scapula.

Coracoid Process

Hook-like structure on the scapula.

Acromion Process

Lateral extension of the scapula, forms the highest point of the shoulder.

Neer Supraspinatus Outlet View

Used to assess shoulder impingement, CR angles 10°-15° while patient is oblique.

Inferosuperior Axial Lawrence Method

Position patient supine, arm abducted, CR angled towards shoulder.

Superoinferior Axial

Patient sits at the end of the table with arm abducted and CR angled to pass through axilla.

AP AC Joints

CR to AC joints at the mid-sagittal plane, may include weights.

Radiographic Criteria for AP External Rotation Shoulder

Shows humeral head in profile with minimal superimposition.

Radiographic Criteria for AP Internal Rotation Shoulder

Greater tubercle facing forward with lesser tubercle on medial side.

AP Axial Clavicle

CR angled 15°-30° cephalic to visualize lateral end of clavicle.

Lateral Scapula

Position patient in anterior oblique to visualize acromion and coracoid process.

Routine AP Shoulder

Overlap of humeral head with posterior glenoid rim.

True AP Shoulder

Open joint space demonstrated with optimal positioning.

Scapular Y View

Used to demonstrate shoulder dislocation; patient in 45°-60° anterior oblique.

AP Scapula

Position patient in posterior with arm abducted to flatten scapula against the IR.

AP Shoulder with External Rotation

Used to visualize humeral head in profile and should have open joint space.

AP Shoulder with Internal Rotation

Posterior surface of hand against thigh, lesser tubercle in profile.

AP Shoulder with Neutral Rotation

Palm against thigh with epicondyles at 45°.