RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONING AND
RELATED ANATOMY
11TH EDITION
• Author(S)John P. Lampignano
TEST BANK
1) Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles —
Positioning Terminology
Question Stem
A supine trauma patient must have a chest radiograph obtained
but cannot be moved. Which projection term best describes the
required image?
A. AP upright
B. AP supine
C. PA erect
D. AP lordotic
Correct Answer
B. AP supine
,Rationales
• Correct (B): AP supine describes an anteroposterior
projection obtained while the patient is lying on the back
(supine). Lampignano emphasizes using the exact term to
communicate patient orientation and beam direction.
• Incorrect (A): AP upright indicates the patient is standing
or sitting upright, not supine.
• Incorrect (C): PA erect is a posteroanterior projection with
the patient upright and the detector anterior to the chest.
• Incorrect (D): AP lordotic describes an AP projection with
the patient leaning backward to visualize apices; it does
not describe a supine position.
Teaching Point
Use projection + patient position to precisely describe
radiographic technique.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles —
Positioning Principles
Question Stem
A lateral elbow radiograph demonstrates the distal humerus
,and proximal forearm with severe foreshortening of the
olecranon. Which positioning error most likely produced this
appearance?
A. Excessive OID from detector too far from elbow
B. Elbow flexed more than 90°
C. Forearm rotation away from true lateral
D. CR angled cephalad instead of perpendicular
Correct Answer
C. Forearm rotation away from true lateral
Rationales
• Correct (C): Rotation from a true lateral causes overlapping
and foreshortening of structures like the olecranon;
Lampignano highlights that correct lateral requires
humeral epicondyles perpendicular to IR.
• Incorrect (A): Increased OID causes magnification, not
selective foreshortening of the olecranon.
• Incorrect (B): Flexing beyond 90° would change
relationships but not cause the described rotational
foreshortening.
• Incorrect (D): Angling the CR affects distortion along the
beam path but rotation relative to the IR is the primary
cause of the foreshortening described.
, Teaching Point
True lateral alignment of epicondyles prevents rotational
foreshortening.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles —
Positioning Terminology
Question Stem
You are asked to take an oblique projection of the hand that
demonstrates the interphalangeal joints open and minimal
superimposition of metacarpals. Which oblique is appropriate?
A. AP medial oblique (pronated 45°)
B. PA medial oblique (pronated 45°)
C. PA lateral oblique (supinated 45°)
D. AP lateral oblique (supinated 45°)
Correct Answer
B. PA medial oblique (pronated 45°)
Rationales
• Correct (B): A PA medial oblique with the palm down and
digits rotated medially ~45° separates metacarpals and
RELATED ANATOMY
11TH EDITION
• Author(S)John P. Lampignano
TEST BANK
1) Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles —
Positioning Terminology
Question Stem
A supine trauma patient must have a chest radiograph obtained
but cannot be moved. Which projection term best describes the
required image?
A. AP upright
B. AP supine
C. PA erect
D. AP lordotic
Correct Answer
B. AP supine
,Rationales
• Correct (B): AP supine describes an anteroposterior
projection obtained while the patient is lying on the back
(supine). Lampignano emphasizes using the exact term to
communicate patient orientation and beam direction.
• Incorrect (A): AP upright indicates the patient is standing
or sitting upright, not supine.
• Incorrect (C): PA erect is a posteroanterior projection with
the patient upright and the detector anterior to the chest.
• Incorrect (D): AP lordotic describes an AP projection with
the patient leaning backward to visualize apices; it does
not describe a supine position.
Teaching Point
Use projection + patient position to precisely describe
radiographic technique.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles —
Positioning Principles
Question Stem
A lateral elbow radiograph demonstrates the distal humerus
,and proximal forearm with severe foreshortening of the
olecranon. Which positioning error most likely produced this
appearance?
A. Excessive OID from detector too far from elbow
B. Elbow flexed more than 90°
C. Forearm rotation away from true lateral
D. CR angled cephalad instead of perpendicular
Correct Answer
C. Forearm rotation away from true lateral
Rationales
• Correct (C): Rotation from a true lateral causes overlapping
and foreshortening of structures like the olecranon;
Lampignano highlights that correct lateral requires
humeral epicondyles perpendicular to IR.
• Incorrect (A): Increased OID causes magnification, not
selective foreshortening of the olecranon.
• Incorrect (B): Flexing beyond 90° would change
relationships but not cause the described rotational
foreshortening.
• Incorrect (D): Angling the CR affects distortion along the
beam path but rotation relative to the IR is the primary
cause of the foreshortening described.
, Teaching Point
True lateral alignment of epicondyles prevents rotational
foreshortening.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles —
Positioning Terminology
Question Stem
You are asked to take an oblique projection of the hand that
demonstrates the interphalangeal joints open and minimal
superimposition of metacarpals. Which oblique is appropriate?
A. AP medial oblique (pronated 45°)
B. PA medial oblique (pronated 45°)
C. PA lateral oblique (supinated 45°)
D. AP lateral oblique (supinated 45°)
Correct Answer
B. PA medial oblique (pronated 45°)
Rationales
• Correct (B): A PA medial oblique with the palm down and
digits rotated medially ~45° separates metacarpals and
