Body Positions in Radiography

Body Positions

In radiography, the term "position" has two meanings:

  • General body positions
  • Specific body positions

General Body Positions

The eight most common general body positions used in medical imaging are:

  1. Supine: Lying on the back, facing upward (Fig. 1.57).
  2. Prone: Lying on the abdomen, facing downward (head may be turned to one side) (Fig. 1.58).
  3. Erect (upright): An upright position, standing or sitting erect.
  4. Recumbent (reclining): Lying down in any position (prone, supine, or on the side).
    • Dorsal recumbent: Lying on the back (supine).
    • Ventral recumbent: Lying face down (prone).
    • Lateral recumbent: Lying on the side (right or left lateral).
  5. Trendelenburg position: A recumbent position with the body tilted with the head lower than the feet (Fig. 1.59).
  6. Reverse Trendelenburg position: A recumbent position with the body tilted with the head higher than the feet (Fig. 1.60).
  7. Left lateral recumbent position for enema tip insertion (semiprone position): A recumbent oblique position with the patient lying on the left anterior side, with the right knee and thigh flexed, and the left arm extended down behind the back, as shown in Fig. 1.61 (also demonstrated in Chapter 13).
  8. Lithotomy position: A recumbent (supine) position with knees and hips flexed and thighs abducted and rotated externally, supported by ankle supports (Fig. 1.62). This position is frequently seen in the surgical suite for certain urinary studies.