MIM Test Revision 1

Why is proper lead marker placement important?

To identify the correct patient side and for legal/medical documentation

Which anatomical plane forms a 90° angle with both the sagittal and coronal planes?

Transverse plane

What is another name for the transverse plane?

Axial plane or horizontal plane

Define Trendelenburg position.

A recumbent position where the whole body is tilted so that the head is placed lower than the feet

Define superficial.

Toward or at the body surface

Define oblique.

An angled or rotated position in which the body part is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the image receptor (IR)

Why is the hand placed flat on the image receptor during a hand projection?

To place the hand parallel to the image receptor and minimize distortion of the phalanges metacarpals and carpals.

Why are the fingers spread slightly on the image receptor during a hand projection?

To prevent superimposition of adjacent fingers and allow clear visualization of the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints.

Why is a mediolateral projection performed for the index finger projection?

To obtain a true lateral image of the index finger with minimal superimposition from the other digits.

Why is the patient's head turned away from the central ray during upper extremity projections?

To prevent unnecessary radiation exposure to the head and eyes and keep the head out of the primary beam.

Why are the digits flexed during a PA wrist projection?

To bring the anterior surface of the wrist into close contact with the image receptor and reduce OID.

Why is the patient's forearm supinated during an AP forearm projection?

To place the radius and ulna parallel to each other and avoid crossing of the bones.

Why is a 15° central ray angulation used during an AP axial foot projection?

To compensate for the arch of the foot and project the tarsal and metatarsal joints with reduced foreshortening.

Why is a 15° internal rotation of the foot used during an AP mortise ankle projection?

To open the ankle mortise joint and demonstrate the tibiofibular and talotibial joint spaces without overlap.

Why are the patient's legs internally rotated during an AP femur projection?

To place the femoral neck parallel to the image receptor and prevent foreshortening of the femoral neck.

What is the CR centering point for all views of digits 2-5?

Perpendicular to the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint.

What is the CR centering point for all views of the thumb (1st digit)?

Perpendicular to the first metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint.

What is the CR centering point for PA oblique and lateral hand projections?

Perpendicular to the second metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint.

What is the CR centering point for PA oblique and lateral wrist projections?

Perpendicular to the midcarpals.

What is the CR centering point for AP and lateral forearm projections?

Perpendicular to the mid-forearm.

What is the CR centering point for AP and lateral humerus projections?

Perpendicular to the midshaft of the humerus.

What is the CR centering point for AP and AP axial toe projections?

Third metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint.

What is the CR centering point for oblique and lateral toe projections?

MTP joint for great toe; PIP joint for 2nd-5th digits.

What is the CR centering point for AP and AP axial foot projections?

Base of the third metatarsal.

What is the CR centering point for oblique and lateral foot projections?

Base of the third metatarsal.

What is the CR centering point for axial calcaneus projection?

Base of the third metatarsal.

What is the CR centering point for lateral calcaneus projection?

1 inch (2.5 cm) distal to the medial malleolus.

What is the CR centering point for AP and oblique ankle projections?

Midway between the malleoli.

What is the CR centering point for lateral ankle projection?

Perpendicular to the ankle joint entering the medial malleolus.

What is the CR centering point for AP and lateral leg (tibia-fibula) projections?

Perpendicular to the midpoint of the leg.

What is the CR centering point for AP and oblique knee projections?

1/2 inch (1.3 cm) below the apex of the patella.

What is the CR centering point for lateral knee projection?

1 inch (2.5 cm) distal to the medial epicondyle with 5-7° cephalad angle.

What is the CR centering point for PA and tangential patella projections?

1/2 inch distal to the patellar apex or perpendicular to the joint space.

What is the CR centering point for AP and lateral femur projections?

Perpendicular to the midfemur.

Why is the AP or AP axial foot projection performed?

General survey of the bones of the foot.

Why is the AP axial foot projection with 10° angle performed?

To reduce elongation of the anatomy.

What structures are demonstrated in the AP oblique foot projection?

Interspaces between cuboid and cuneiform cuboid and calcaneus and cuboid with 4th and 5th metatarsals.

Why is the lateral foot projection performed?

To evaluate displacement of bony structures and localize foreign bodies.

Why is the wrist imaged in ulnar deviation?

To clearly demonstrate the scaphoid.

Why is a weight-bearing knee projection performed?

To reveal joint space narrowing not seen on non-weight-bearing views.

Why is the PA patella projection performed?

To provide sharper recorded detail due to reduced OID.

Why is the tangential patella projection performed?

To demonstrate patellar subluxation and fractures.

Why is the ankle mortise projection performed?

To demonstrate the mortise joint free from superimposition.

Why is the AP humerus projection performed?

To provide a true anatomical survey with the greater tubercle in profile laterally.

Image evaluation criteria for digits projections

Distal phalanx to distal metacarpal included joints open no rotation

Image evaluation criteria for hand projections

Hand wrist and 1 inch distal forearm included digits slightly separated joints open

Image evaluation criteria for wrist projections

All 8 carpals included distal radius and ulna visible carpals superimposed on lateral

Image evaluation criteria for forearm projections

Both wrist and elbow joints included radius and ulna superimposed on lateral

Image evaluation criteria for humerus projections

Both shoulder and elbow joints included greater tubercle in profile AP or lesser tubercle in lateral

Image evaluation criteria for toe projections

Entire digit included no overlap joints open

Image evaluation criteria for foot projections

All tarsals metatarsals phalanges included 3rd to 5th metatarsal bases free from superimposition in oblique

Image evaluation criteria for calcaneus projections

Entire calcaneus and talocalcaneal joint visible sustentaculum tali in profile medially

Image evaluation criteria for ankle projections

Tibiotalar joint open mortise joint free from superimposition

Image evaluation criteria for leg projections

Ankle and knee joints included slight overlap tibiofibular joints

Image evaluation criteria for knee projections

Open femorotibial joint patella superimposed AP or in profile lateral

Image evaluation criteria for patella projections

Femoropatellar space open patella in profile or tangential

Image evaluation criteria for femur projections

Femoral condyles visible joint nearest injury included or both if required