CERVICAL AND THORACIC SPINE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED 2025/2026 A COMPLETE
SOLUTION ALL ANSWERS 100% ACCURATE BEST GRADED TO
SCORE A+ FOR SUCCESS
Herniated Nucleus Pulposus - CORRECT ANSWERS If the soft inner part of an
intervertebral disk protrudes through the fibrous cartilage outer layer into the spinal canal, it
may press on the spinal cord or spinal nerves, causing severe pain and possible numbness that
radiate into the extremeties. Use myelography, but now more often MRI.
Kyphosis - CORRECT ANSWERS An abnormal or exaggerated convex curvature of the
thoracic spine that results in stooped posture and reduced height. A lateral projection of the
spine will best demonstrate this.
Lordosis - CORRECT ANSWERS Describes the normal concave curvature of the lumbar
spine and an abnormal or exaggerated concave lumbar curvature. This condition may result
from pregnancy, obesity, poor posture, rickets, or tuberculosis of the spine. A lateral projection
of the spine will best demonstrate.
Scoliosis - CORRECT ANSWERS Although many individuals normally have some slight
lateral curvature of the thoracic spine, an abnormal or exaggerated lateral curvature of the
spine is called _________. Use AP/PA spine, _______ series, including lateral bending
Osteoarthritis - CORRECT ANSWERS Characterized by degeneration of one or many
joints. In the spine , changes may include bony sclerosis, degeneration of cartilage, and
formation of osteophytes (bony outgrowths). AP and lateral C and/or T spine
Osteoporosis - CORRECT ANSWERS This condition is characterized by loss of bone
mass. DXA bone density exam of AP L spine and lateral hip
Hyperflexion - CORRECT ANSWERS Chin should be depressed until it touches the chest
or as much as the patient can tolerate (do not allow patient to move forward to ensure that the
entire cervical is included on IR). performed to rule out whiplash type of injury or follow up
after spinal fusion surgery.
, CERVICAL AND THORACIC SPINE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED 2025/2026 A COMPLETE
SOLUTION ALL ANSWERS 100% ACCURATE BEST GRADED TO
SCORE A+ FOR SUCCESS
Hyperextension - CORRECT ANSWERS Chin should be raised and head leaned back as
much as possible (do not allow patient to move backward to ensure that entire cervical is
included on IR). Performed to rule whiplash type injury or follow up after spinal fusion surgery.
Breathing technique - CORRECT ANSWERS Involves the patient taking shallow breaths
during the exposure. Used to blur out ribs or lung markings depending on exposure.
Anode heel effect - CORRECT ANSWERS The intensity of radiation emitted from the
cathode end of the x-ray tube is greater than that emitted at the anode end. Greater
attenuation or absorption of x-rays occurs at the anode end because of the angle of the anode;
x-rays emitted from deeper within the anode must travel through more anode material before
exiting; thus they are attenuated more. **head to anode side of beam
Feet; Head - CORRECT ANSWERS What is the anode end of the femur? Cathode?
Head; Feet - CORRECT ANSWERS What is the anode end of the thoracic spine?
Cathode?
Cross-table lateral - CORRECT ANSWERS What is the first projection you take for a
trauma C-spine?
Angle more - CORRECT ANSWERS What do you do if the joint spaces aren't open
enough on the AP axial spine projection?
Rotation - CORRECT ANSWERS There is ________ if the zygapophyseal joints aren't
equal on the open mouth odontoid projection.
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED 2025/2026 A COMPLETE
SOLUTION ALL ANSWERS 100% ACCURATE BEST GRADED TO
SCORE A+ FOR SUCCESS
Herniated Nucleus Pulposus - CORRECT ANSWERS If the soft inner part of an
intervertebral disk protrudes through the fibrous cartilage outer layer into the spinal canal, it
may press on the spinal cord or spinal nerves, causing severe pain and possible numbness that
radiate into the extremeties. Use myelography, but now more often MRI.
Kyphosis - CORRECT ANSWERS An abnormal or exaggerated convex curvature of the
thoracic spine that results in stooped posture and reduced height. A lateral projection of the
spine will best demonstrate this.
Lordosis - CORRECT ANSWERS Describes the normal concave curvature of the lumbar
spine and an abnormal or exaggerated concave lumbar curvature. This condition may result
from pregnancy, obesity, poor posture, rickets, or tuberculosis of the spine. A lateral projection
of the spine will best demonstrate.
Scoliosis - CORRECT ANSWERS Although many individuals normally have some slight
lateral curvature of the thoracic spine, an abnormal or exaggerated lateral curvature of the
spine is called _________. Use AP/PA spine, _______ series, including lateral bending
Osteoarthritis - CORRECT ANSWERS Characterized by degeneration of one or many
joints. In the spine , changes may include bony sclerosis, degeneration of cartilage, and
formation of osteophytes (bony outgrowths). AP and lateral C and/or T spine
Osteoporosis - CORRECT ANSWERS This condition is characterized by loss of bone
mass. DXA bone density exam of AP L spine and lateral hip
Hyperflexion - CORRECT ANSWERS Chin should be depressed until it touches the chest
or as much as the patient can tolerate (do not allow patient to move forward to ensure that the
entire cervical is included on IR). performed to rule out whiplash type of injury or follow up
after spinal fusion surgery.
, CERVICAL AND THORACIC SPINE EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS LATEST UPDATED 2025/2026 A COMPLETE
SOLUTION ALL ANSWERS 100% ACCURATE BEST GRADED TO
SCORE A+ FOR SUCCESS
Hyperextension - CORRECT ANSWERS Chin should be raised and head leaned back as
much as possible (do not allow patient to move backward to ensure that entire cervical is
included on IR). Performed to rule whiplash type injury or follow up after spinal fusion surgery.
Breathing technique - CORRECT ANSWERS Involves the patient taking shallow breaths
during the exposure. Used to blur out ribs or lung markings depending on exposure.
Anode heel effect - CORRECT ANSWERS The intensity of radiation emitted from the
cathode end of the x-ray tube is greater than that emitted at the anode end. Greater
attenuation or absorption of x-rays occurs at the anode end because of the angle of the anode;
x-rays emitted from deeper within the anode must travel through more anode material before
exiting; thus they are attenuated more. **head to anode side of beam
Feet; Head - CORRECT ANSWERS What is the anode end of the femur? Cathode?
Head; Feet - CORRECT ANSWERS What is the anode end of the thoracic spine?
Cathode?
Cross-table lateral - CORRECT ANSWERS What is the first projection you take for a
trauma C-spine?
Angle more - CORRECT ANSWERS What do you do if the joint spaces aren't open
enough on the AP axial spine projection?
Rotation - CORRECT ANSWERS There is ________ if the zygapophyseal joints aren't
equal on the open mouth odontoid projection.
