Radiographic Positioning II - Final Exam
WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
How many vertebrae constitute the entire spinal column?
a. 23
b. 28
c. 33
d. 37 - ANS c. 33
The right sacroiliac joint would be best demonstrated in which projection?
a. Chassard-Lapine projection
b. AP projection
c. RAO projection
d. RPO projection - ANS c. RAO projection
Which position is best in order to demonstrate the zygapophyseal articulations of the lumbar
spine?
a. AP projection
b. AP 45 degree oblique projection
c. lateral projection
d. AP erect projection - ANS b. AP 45 degree oblique projection
Which plane, used frequently in positioning, separates the body into equal anterior and posterior
portions?
a. midcoronal plane
b. midsagittal plane
c. transverse plane
d. oblique plane - ANS a. midcoronal plane
How much central ray angulation is required if the sacrum is the desired area of interest?
a. 15 degrees caudal
b. 15 degrees cephalic
c. 25 degrees cephalic
d. 25 degrees caudal - ANS b. 15 degrees cephalic
How many bones are in the normal human body?
a. 185
b. 200
c. 206
d. 212 - ANS c. 206
,In the typical lumbar spine, how many vertebrae are present?
a. 5
b. 7
c. 12
d. 8 - ANS a. 5
The sthenic body habitus makes up what percentage of the population?
a. 5%
b. 35%
c. 10%
d. 50% - ANS d. 50%
If the patient is placed in an LAO position with the pelvis rotated 25 degrees and the center ray
exiting 1" medial to the elevated ASIS, what is the resulting structure?
a. right sacroiliac joint
b. left sacroiliac joint
c. left ischial rami
d. right ischial rami - ANS b. left sacroiliac joint
Which vertebral level does the iliac crest correspond to?
a. L-3
b. T-7
c. T-4
d. L-5/S-1 - ANS a. L-3
The part of a typical vertebra which is short and connects the body to the laminae on either side
is called
a. the transverse process.
b. the pedicle.
c. the spinous process.
d. the inferior articulating process. - ANS b. the pedicle.
In an AP projection of the coccyx, what is the degree of central ray angulation?
a. 10 degrees cephalic
b. 15 degrees caudal
c. 15 degrees cephalic
d. 10 degrees caudal - ANS d. 10 degrees caudal
When performing an oblique projection of the lumbar spine, the eye of the "Scottie dog"
represents which of the following structures?
a. pedicle
b. lamina
c. superior articulating process
d. inferior articulating process - ANS a. pedicle
,The proper degree of obliquity for an AP oblique projection of the right SI joint is
a. 10 degrees.
b. 25 degrees.
c. 35 degrees.
d. 45 degrees. - ANS b. 25 degrees
When performing projections of the right sacroiliac joint, the patient can be positioned in which
of the following positions? - ANS LPO and RAO
When performing an AP projection of the sacrum, to compensate for the normal degree of
kyphosis, the central ray should be directed
a. 35 degrees caudad.
b. 15 degrees cephalic.
c. 10 degrees caudad.
d. 25 degrees cephalic. - ANS b. 15 degrees cephalic.
An asthenic body habitus refers to a person who
a. is extremely thin with a narrow and shallow thorax.
b. is slender and light in weight.
c. has an athletic build.
d. has a massive build with a deep and broad thorax. - ANS a. is extremely thin with a
narrow and shallow thorax.
The coccyx is approximately the same size as a __________?
a. Postage stamp
b. An eraser
c. Finger tip
d. Pencil tip - ANS a. Postage stamp
T/F The lateral position best demonstrates Intervertebral Foramina for Lumbar spine - ANS
True
T/F The advantage of PA lumbar spine projection is increased OID - ANS False
T/F Gonadal shielding can and should always be used on males of reproductive age on coccyx,
sacrum, or lumbar spine radiographs - ANS True
T/F The AP projection of the lumbar spine in female patients lowers the ovarian dose by
25%-30% as compared to the PA projection - ANS False
T/F The superior sacral end is called the apex. - ANS False
T/F Spondlolysis is a defect present when the pars interarticularis is fractured - ANS True
, T/F The AP projection of the lumbar spine opens the intervertebral joint spaces better than the
PA projection. - ANS False
The ASIS corresponds to which positioning landmark? - ANS S1-S2
Which zygapophyseal joint is demonstrated with an RPO position of the lumbar spine? - ANS
Right zygopophyseal joint
Why must the knees be bent for an AP lumbar spine? - ANS Reduces Lumbar Curvature
Name the portion of each lamina between the superior and inferior processes is the: - ANS
Pars Interarticularis
What is the name for the neck of the "Scottie dog"?
a. Transverse Process
b. Lamina
c. Pars Interarticularis
d. Intervertebral foramina - ANS c. Pars Interarticularis
What is known as the tailbone?
a. Coccyx
b. sacrum
c. L5/S1
d. Pubis symphysis - ANS a. Coccyx
A female patient is brought to the emergency department (ED) because of a MVA (motor vehicle
accident). Her chief complaint is pain in the lower lumbar region. The ED physician orders a
lumbar series. Upon questioning, the technologist learns that the patient is pregnant. The ED
physician is made aware of the pregnancy but still wants the lumbar spine series performed.
What can the technologist do to minimize dose to the fetus and mother?
a. Use higher kV than normal, reduce mAs accordingly
b. Use smallest IR possible
c. Collimate as much as feasible.
d. All of the above should be done - ANS d. All of the above should be done
A radiograph of an AP axial L5-S1 projection reveals that the joint space is not open. The
following factors were used on this female patient: 80 kV, 40-inch (102 cm) SID, grid, 35°
caudad angle, and CR centered to the ASIS. Which of the following factors needs to be
modified to produce a more diagnostic image?
a. Increase the CR angulation.
b. Decrease the CR angulation.
WITH 100% CORRECT ANSWERS
How many vertebrae constitute the entire spinal column?
a. 23
b. 28
c. 33
d. 37 - ANS c. 33
The right sacroiliac joint would be best demonstrated in which projection?
a. Chassard-Lapine projection
b. AP projection
c. RAO projection
d. RPO projection - ANS c. RAO projection
Which position is best in order to demonstrate the zygapophyseal articulations of the lumbar
spine?
a. AP projection
b. AP 45 degree oblique projection
c. lateral projection
d. AP erect projection - ANS b. AP 45 degree oblique projection
Which plane, used frequently in positioning, separates the body into equal anterior and posterior
portions?
a. midcoronal plane
b. midsagittal plane
c. transverse plane
d. oblique plane - ANS a. midcoronal plane
How much central ray angulation is required if the sacrum is the desired area of interest?
a. 15 degrees caudal
b. 15 degrees cephalic
c. 25 degrees cephalic
d. 25 degrees caudal - ANS b. 15 degrees cephalic
How many bones are in the normal human body?
a. 185
b. 200
c. 206
d. 212 - ANS c. 206
,In the typical lumbar spine, how many vertebrae are present?
a. 5
b. 7
c. 12
d. 8 - ANS a. 5
The sthenic body habitus makes up what percentage of the population?
a. 5%
b. 35%
c. 10%
d. 50% - ANS d. 50%
If the patient is placed in an LAO position with the pelvis rotated 25 degrees and the center ray
exiting 1" medial to the elevated ASIS, what is the resulting structure?
a. right sacroiliac joint
b. left sacroiliac joint
c. left ischial rami
d. right ischial rami - ANS b. left sacroiliac joint
Which vertebral level does the iliac crest correspond to?
a. L-3
b. T-7
c. T-4
d. L-5/S-1 - ANS a. L-3
The part of a typical vertebra which is short and connects the body to the laminae on either side
is called
a. the transverse process.
b. the pedicle.
c. the spinous process.
d. the inferior articulating process. - ANS b. the pedicle.
In an AP projection of the coccyx, what is the degree of central ray angulation?
a. 10 degrees cephalic
b. 15 degrees caudal
c. 15 degrees cephalic
d. 10 degrees caudal - ANS d. 10 degrees caudal
When performing an oblique projection of the lumbar spine, the eye of the "Scottie dog"
represents which of the following structures?
a. pedicle
b. lamina
c. superior articulating process
d. inferior articulating process - ANS a. pedicle
,The proper degree of obliquity for an AP oblique projection of the right SI joint is
a. 10 degrees.
b. 25 degrees.
c. 35 degrees.
d. 45 degrees. - ANS b. 25 degrees
When performing projections of the right sacroiliac joint, the patient can be positioned in which
of the following positions? - ANS LPO and RAO
When performing an AP projection of the sacrum, to compensate for the normal degree of
kyphosis, the central ray should be directed
a. 35 degrees caudad.
b. 15 degrees cephalic.
c. 10 degrees caudad.
d. 25 degrees cephalic. - ANS b. 15 degrees cephalic.
An asthenic body habitus refers to a person who
a. is extremely thin with a narrow and shallow thorax.
b. is slender and light in weight.
c. has an athletic build.
d. has a massive build with a deep and broad thorax. - ANS a. is extremely thin with a
narrow and shallow thorax.
The coccyx is approximately the same size as a __________?
a. Postage stamp
b. An eraser
c. Finger tip
d. Pencil tip - ANS a. Postage stamp
T/F The lateral position best demonstrates Intervertebral Foramina for Lumbar spine - ANS
True
T/F The advantage of PA lumbar spine projection is increased OID - ANS False
T/F Gonadal shielding can and should always be used on males of reproductive age on coccyx,
sacrum, or lumbar spine radiographs - ANS True
T/F The AP projection of the lumbar spine in female patients lowers the ovarian dose by
25%-30% as compared to the PA projection - ANS False
T/F The superior sacral end is called the apex. - ANS False
T/F Spondlolysis is a defect present when the pars interarticularis is fractured - ANS True
, T/F The AP projection of the lumbar spine opens the intervertebral joint spaces better than the
PA projection. - ANS False
The ASIS corresponds to which positioning landmark? - ANS S1-S2
Which zygapophyseal joint is demonstrated with an RPO position of the lumbar spine? - ANS
Right zygopophyseal joint
Why must the knees be bent for an AP lumbar spine? - ANS Reduces Lumbar Curvature
Name the portion of each lamina between the superior and inferior processes is the: - ANS
Pars Interarticularis
What is the name for the neck of the "Scottie dog"?
a. Transverse Process
b. Lamina
c. Pars Interarticularis
d. Intervertebral foramina - ANS c. Pars Interarticularis
What is known as the tailbone?
a. Coccyx
b. sacrum
c. L5/S1
d. Pubis symphysis - ANS a. Coccyx
A female patient is brought to the emergency department (ED) because of a MVA (motor vehicle
accident). Her chief complaint is pain in the lower lumbar region. The ED physician orders a
lumbar series. Upon questioning, the technologist learns that the patient is pregnant. The ED
physician is made aware of the pregnancy but still wants the lumbar spine series performed.
What can the technologist do to minimize dose to the fetus and mother?
a. Use higher kV than normal, reduce mAs accordingly
b. Use smallest IR possible
c. Collimate as much as feasible.
d. All of the above should be done - ANS d. All of the above should be done
A radiograph of an AP axial L5-S1 projection reveals that the joint space is not open. The
following factors were used on this female patient: 80 kV, 40-inch (102 cm) SID, grid, 35°
caudad angle, and CR centered to the ASIS. Which of the following factors needs to be
modified to produce a more diagnostic image?
a. Increase the CR angulation.
b. Decrease the CR angulation.
