Digital Radiography & PACS 2026
Comprehensive Questions, Answers & Explanations
Latest Ranked A+ Test Bank
Spine & Skeletal Anatomy
1) When vertebrae are stacked, the superior and inferior vertebral notches align to form which
opening that transmits spinal nerves and vessels?
Answer: Intervertebral foramen
Rationale: The intervertebral foramen allows passage of spinal nerves and blood vessels
between adjacent vertebrae.
Digital Radiography & PACS 2026 Comprehensive Questions, Answers & Explanations Latest
Ranked A+ Test Bank
2) What condition is defined by an abnormal convex curvature of the thoracic spine?
Answer: Kyphosis
Rationale: Kyphosis results in excessive posterior curvature, commonly seen in the thoracic
region.
3) What joint is formed by the articulation of the superior articular process of one vertebra with
the inferior articular process of another?
Answer: Zygapophyseal joint
Rationale: These facet joints allow controlled spinal movement and stability.
4) Which spinal projections best demonstrate the zygapophyseal joints?
Answer: Lateral cervical spine (70° oblique), thoracic spine (45° oblique), lumbar spine (45°
oblique)
Rationale: Oblique projections place facet joints parallel to the IR.
5) Which projections best demonstrate the intervertebral foramina?
Answer: C-spine lateral, T-spine lateral, L-spine oblique
Rationale: Proper obliquity opens the foramina for visualization.
6) What CR angulation is used for an AP axial cervical spine when the patient is supine?
Answer: 15° cephalic
Rationale: This angulation aligns with cervical lordosis.
, 7) Why is an increased SID of 60–72 inches used for lateral and oblique cervical projections?
Answer: To compensate for increased OID
Rationale: Increased SID reduces magnification and distortion.
8) The “neck of the Scottie dog” seen on an oblique lumbar spine represents which structure?
Answer: Pars interarticularis
Rationale: Defects here indicate spondylolysis.
9) What CR angulation is used for an anterior oblique cervical spine in the erect position?
Answer: 20° caudal
Rationale: This matches the cervical anatomy in erect positioning.
10) What is the common name for the cervicothoracic lateral projection?
Answer: Swimmer’s
Rationale: This view visualizes C7–T1 when shoulders obscure anatomy.
Positioning & Landmarks
11) Which anatomy is best demonstrated with the patient in an LAO cervical spine position?
Answer: Left intervertebral foramina
Rationale: Foraminal side closest to IR is best visualized.
12) What CR angulation is used for an AP axial SI joint projection on a male patient?
Answer: 30° cephalic
Rationale: Male sacrum is less curved than female.
13) Which lumbar spine anatomy is best demonstrated in the LPO position?
Answer: Left zygapophyseal joints
Rationale: Posterior obliques demonstrate joints closest to IR.
14) Why are hips and knees flexed for an AP lumbar spine?
Answer: To reduce spinal curvature and open disk spaces
Rationale: Flexion flattens lumbar lordosis.
15) What landmark corresponds to the level of C3?
Answer: Gonion
Rationale: The gonion aligns anatomically with C3.
16) Why is respiration suspended on expiration for a lateral cervical spine?
Answer: To maximize shoulder depression
Rationale: Expiration lowers shoulders for better visualization.
Comprehensive Questions, Answers & Explanations
Latest Ranked A+ Test Bank
Spine & Skeletal Anatomy
1) When vertebrae are stacked, the superior and inferior vertebral notches align to form which
opening that transmits spinal nerves and vessels?
Answer: Intervertebral foramen
Rationale: The intervertebral foramen allows passage of spinal nerves and blood vessels
between adjacent vertebrae.
Digital Radiography & PACS 2026 Comprehensive Questions, Answers & Explanations Latest
Ranked A+ Test Bank
2) What condition is defined by an abnormal convex curvature of the thoracic spine?
Answer: Kyphosis
Rationale: Kyphosis results in excessive posterior curvature, commonly seen in the thoracic
region.
3) What joint is formed by the articulation of the superior articular process of one vertebra with
the inferior articular process of another?
Answer: Zygapophyseal joint
Rationale: These facet joints allow controlled spinal movement and stability.
4) Which spinal projections best demonstrate the zygapophyseal joints?
Answer: Lateral cervical spine (70° oblique), thoracic spine (45° oblique), lumbar spine (45°
oblique)
Rationale: Oblique projections place facet joints parallel to the IR.
5) Which projections best demonstrate the intervertebral foramina?
Answer: C-spine lateral, T-spine lateral, L-spine oblique
Rationale: Proper obliquity opens the foramina for visualization.
6) What CR angulation is used for an AP axial cervical spine when the patient is supine?
Answer: 15° cephalic
Rationale: This angulation aligns with cervical lordosis.
, 7) Why is an increased SID of 60–72 inches used for lateral and oblique cervical projections?
Answer: To compensate for increased OID
Rationale: Increased SID reduces magnification and distortion.
8) The “neck of the Scottie dog” seen on an oblique lumbar spine represents which structure?
Answer: Pars interarticularis
Rationale: Defects here indicate spondylolysis.
9) What CR angulation is used for an anterior oblique cervical spine in the erect position?
Answer: 20° caudal
Rationale: This matches the cervical anatomy in erect positioning.
10) What is the common name for the cervicothoracic lateral projection?
Answer: Swimmer’s
Rationale: This view visualizes C7–T1 when shoulders obscure anatomy.
Positioning & Landmarks
11) Which anatomy is best demonstrated with the patient in an LAO cervical spine position?
Answer: Left intervertebral foramina
Rationale: Foraminal side closest to IR is best visualized.
12) What CR angulation is used for an AP axial SI joint projection on a male patient?
Answer: 30° cephalic
Rationale: Male sacrum is less curved than female.
13) Which lumbar spine anatomy is best demonstrated in the LPO position?
Answer: Left zygapophyseal joints
Rationale: Posterior obliques demonstrate joints closest to IR.
14) Why are hips and knees flexed for an AP lumbar spine?
Answer: To reduce spinal curvature and open disk spaces
Rationale: Flexion flattens lumbar lordosis.
15) What landmark corresponds to the level of C3?
Answer: Gonion
Rationale: The gonion aligns anatomically with C3.
16) Why is respiration suspended on expiration for a lateral cervical spine?
Answer: To maximize shoulder depression
Rationale: Expiration lowers shoulders for better visualization.
