X-Ray Positions, planes and surfaces

SAIT MRT

Anterior or Ventral

Front half of patient or part viewed from the front (includes top of feet and fronts of palms)

Posterior or Dorsal

Back half of patient or part viewed from the back (includes bottoms of feet and backs of hands).

Plantar

Sole or posterior surface of foot

Dorsal

Top or anterior surface of the foot or back surface of the hand.

Palmar

palm of hand (anterior or ventral)

Sagittal Plane

Longitudinal plane that divides into right and left parts

Midsagittal plane

Longitudinal plane that divides into EQUAL right and left parts

Coronal Plane

longitudinal plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

midcoronal plane

divides the body into EQUAL anterior and posterior parts

Horizontal (Axial) Plane

transverse plane that passes through the body at right angles to a longitudinal plane, dividing the body into superior and inferior portions.

Oblique Plane

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

Longitudinal Sections—Sagittal, Coronal, and Oblique

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). Longitudinal sections 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 (horizontally slicing from head to toe)

PA projection

projection of the CR from posterior to anterior

AP projection

projection of the CR from anterior to posterior

AP/PA Oblique Projection

An AP/PA projection of the upper or lower limb that is rotated (must include qualifying term that indicates which way it is rotated such as lateral or medial rotation)

Mediolateral and Lateromedial Projections

mediolateral projection: the CR enters the medial aspect and exits the lateral aspect

Lateromedial projection: the CR enters the lateral aspect and exits the medial aspect

Supine

Lying on back, facing upward

Prone

Lying on abdomen, facing downward

Erect

An upright position, to stand or sit erect

Recumbent

Lying down in any position

Dorsal recumbent

Lying on back (supine)

Ventral recumbent

Lying face down (prone)

Lateral recumbent

Lying on side (right or left lateral)

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

Lithotomy

A recumbent (supine) position with knees and hip flexed and thighs abducted and rotated externally, supported by ankle supports

Lateral Position

the side of, or a side view. described by the side of the body closest to the IR or the body part from which the CR exits

Oblique Position

an angled position. body positions of the thorax, abdomen, or pelvis are described by the side of the body closest to the IR or the body part from which the CR exits

LPO and RPO (Left/Right Posterior Oblique)

Left or Right side of posterior is closest to the IR (image receptor). upper and lower limbs are described correctly as AP and PA oblique but require the use of either medial or lateral rotation as a qualifier.

LAO/RAO (Left/Right Anterior Oblique)

right or left anterior aspect of the body is closest to the IR

Decubitus Position

lie on a horizontal surface with the CR also horizontal

Axial Projection

an axial projection would be directed along, or parallel to, the long axis of the body or part

Semiaxial

describes any angle along the axis that is not truly perpendicular or parallel to the long axis

Dorsoplantar and Plantodorsal Projections

These are secondary terms for AP or PA projections of the foot. Dorsoplantar (DP) describes the path of the CR from the dorsal (anterior) surface to the plantar (posterior) surface of the foot

Cephalad

Toward the head end of the body

Caudad

Away from head end of the body