Radiographic positioning terminology
Radiographic positioning - Answer- radiographically demonstrate or visualize specific
body parts on image receptors (IRs) Terms approved and published by the ARRT.
Methods - Answer- named positions, named for person who first described a specific
position: Towne, Waters, Caldwell
Radiograph - Answer- An image produced by x-rays on an image receptor. If
produced with film-screen technology - it is stored and displayed on film. If produced
digitally, it is viewed and stored on computers.
Radiography - Answer- Process and procedures of producing a radiograph
Radiograph vs. X-ray film: - Answer- radiograph - the recording medium AND the
image
x-ray film - physical piece of material on which a nonprocessed (latent) radiographic
image is stored.
Image receptor - Answer- (IR) - the device that captures the radiographic image that
exits the patient; film/screen cassettes and digital acquisition devices
Central ray - Answer- (CR) - the center-most portion of the x-ray beam emitted from
the x-ray tube; has the least divergence
Radiographic exam 5 functions - Answer- 1. position body and align with the IR and
CR.
2. Select radiation protection measures
3. Select exposure factors (radiographic technique) on the control panel (generator)
4. Patient instructions related to respiration and initiation (making) of the exposure
5. Processing of the IR
Body planes - Answer- Sagittal - divides into right and left parts
midsagittal - equal right and left parts
Coronal - divides into anterior and posterior parts
midcoronal - equal anterior and posterior parts
Horizontal (axial) - transverse plane at right angle - superior and inferior portions
Oblique - longitudinal or transverse plane at an angle or slant - not parallel
Section - Answer- Cut or slice image of body part.
Planes of the skull - Answer- Base plane
Occlusal plane
Body surfaces and parts - Answer- Posterior/dorsal - back half
Anterior/ventral - front half, tops of feet, palms
Plantar - surface of foot (sole)
Dorsal foot - top of foot - aka dorsum
, Dorsal hand - back of hand
Palmar - palm of hand
Radiographic projection - Answer- the direction or the path of the CR of the x-ray
beam as it passes through the pt., projecing an image onto the IR.
Posteroanterior (PA) projection - Answer- CR enters at posterior surface and exits at
anterior surface
Anteroposterior (AP) projection - Answer- CR enters at Anterior surface and exits at
posterior surface
AP oblique projection - Answer- A projection of a body part that is rotated, shot
anterior to posterior (should also contain a qualifying "medial" or "lateral" term)
Mediolateral and lateromedial projections - Answer- Medial and lateral sides are
determined with the patient in the anatomic position.
Body positions - general - Answer- Supine - lying on back facing up
Prone - lying on abdomen, facing down
Erect - stand or sitting erect
Recumbent - reclining
Dorsal recumbent - lying on back
Ventral recumbent - lying face down
Lateral recumbent - lying on side
Trendelenburg - recumbent position with body tilted with head lower than feet
Fowler's position - recumbent position with body tilted with head higher than feet
Sims' position - when on left side, right knee and thigh are flexed and left arm behind
back - used for rectal tube insertion for barium enema
Lithotomy position - recumbent with knees and hip flexed and thighs abducted and
rotated externally, supported by ankle supports.
Lateral position - Answer- Right lateral position is with right side of body closest to
the IR in both erect and recumbent body positions.
True positioning is 90 degrees.
Decubitus - Answer- Lying down on dorsal (back), front (ventral) or side (lateral).
Performed with central ray going horizontal. Essential for detecting air-fluid levels or
free air in a body cavity such as the chest or abdomen, where the air rises to the
uppermost part of the body cavity.
left lateral decubitus
right lateral decubitus
dorsal decubitus
ventral decubitus
Axial projection - Answer- Any angle of the CR of 10 degrees or more along the long
axis of the body or body part
Radiographic positioning - Answer- radiographically demonstrate or visualize specific
body parts on image receptors (IRs) Terms approved and published by the ARRT.
Methods - Answer- named positions, named for person who first described a specific
position: Towne, Waters, Caldwell
Radiograph - Answer- An image produced by x-rays on an image receptor. If
produced with film-screen technology - it is stored and displayed on film. If produced
digitally, it is viewed and stored on computers.
Radiography - Answer- Process and procedures of producing a radiograph
Radiograph vs. X-ray film: - Answer- radiograph - the recording medium AND the
image
x-ray film - physical piece of material on which a nonprocessed (latent) radiographic
image is stored.
Image receptor - Answer- (IR) - the device that captures the radiographic image that
exits the patient; film/screen cassettes and digital acquisition devices
Central ray - Answer- (CR) - the center-most portion of the x-ray beam emitted from
the x-ray tube; has the least divergence
Radiographic exam 5 functions - Answer- 1. position body and align with the IR and
CR.
2. Select radiation protection measures
3. Select exposure factors (radiographic technique) on the control panel (generator)
4. Patient instructions related to respiration and initiation (making) of the exposure
5. Processing of the IR
Body planes - Answer- Sagittal - divides into right and left parts
midsagittal - equal right and left parts
Coronal - divides into anterior and posterior parts
midcoronal - equal anterior and posterior parts
Horizontal (axial) - transverse plane at right angle - superior and inferior portions
Oblique - longitudinal or transverse plane at an angle or slant - not parallel
Section - Answer- Cut or slice image of body part.
Planes of the skull - Answer- Base plane
Occlusal plane
Body surfaces and parts - Answer- Posterior/dorsal - back half
Anterior/ventral - front half, tops of feet, palms
Plantar - surface of foot (sole)
Dorsal foot - top of foot - aka dorsum
, Dorsal hand - back of hand
Palmar - palm of hand
Radiographic projection - Answer- the direction or the path of the CR of the x-ray
beam as it passes through the pt., projecing an image onto the IR.
Posteroanterior (PA) projection - Answer- CR enters at posterior surface and exits at
anterior surface
Anteroposterior (AP) projection - Answer- CR enters at Anterior surface and exits at
posterior surface
AP oblique projection - Answer- A projection of a body part that is rotated, shot
anterior to posterior (should also contain a qualifying "medial" or "lateral" term)
Mediolateral and lateromedial projections - Answer- Medial and lateral sides are
determined with the patient in the anatomic position.
Body positions - general - Answer- Supine - lying on back facing up
Prone - lying on abdomen, facing down
Erect - stand or sitting erect
Recumbent - reclining
Dorsal recumbent - lying on back
Ventral recumbent - lying face down
Lateral recumbent - lying on side
Trendelenburg - recumbent position with body tilted with head lower than feet
Fowler's position - recumbent position with body tilted with head higher than feet
Sims' position - when on left side, right knee and thigh are flexed and left arm behind
back - used for rectal tube insertion for barium enema
Lithotomy position - recumbent with knees and hip flexed and thighs abducted and
rotated externally, supported by ankle supports.
Lateral position - Answer- Right lateral position is with right side of body closest to
the IR in both erect and recumbent body positions.
True positioning is 90 degrees.
Decubitus - Answer- Lying down on dorsal (back), front (ventral) or side (lateral).
Performed with central ray going horizontal. Essential for detecting air-fluid levels or
free air in a body cavity such as the chest or abdomen, where the air rises to the
uppermost part of the body cavity.
left lateral decubitus
right lateral decubitus
dorsal decubitus
ventral decubitus
Axial projection - Answer- Any angle of the CR of 10 degrees or more along the long
axis of the body or body part
