Radiography and Positioning

• Radiograph is an image of a patient's anatomic part(s) as produced by the action of x-rays on an image receptor (IR)
• Radiography is the process and procedures of producing a radiograph
• Image receptor (IR) is the device that responds to the ionizing radiation to create the radiographic image after it exits the patient
• Central ray (CR) refers to the centermost portion of the x-ray beam emitted from the x-ray tube; the portion of the x-ray beam that has the least divergence
• Sagittal plane is any longitudinal plane that divides the body into right and left parts
• Midsagittal plane (medial plane) is a midline sagittal plane that divides the body into equal right and left parts
• Coronal plane is any longitudinal plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts
• Midcoronal plane divides the body into approximately equal anterior and posterior parts
• Horizontal (Axial) plane is any transverse plane that passes through the body at right angles to a longitudinal plane dividing the body into superior and inferior portions
• Oblique plane is a longitudinal or transverse plate that is at an angle or slant and is not parallel to the sagittal, coronal, or horizontal plane
• Transverse or axial sections are sectional images that are at right angles along any point of the longitudinal axis of the body or its parts
• What kind of plane is this?

  A) Sagittal Plane

  
• What kind of plane is this?

  A) Oblique Plane

  
• What kind of plane is this?

  A) Transverse Plane

  
• What kind of plane is this?

  A) Coronal Plane

  
• Body planes

  A) Sagittal (midsagittal) plane

  B) Oblique plane

  C) Horizontal (axial) plane

  D) Coronal (midcoronal) plane

  
• Occlusal plane is formed by the biting surfaces of the upper and lower teeth with jaws closed
• Body planes of the skull

  A) Base plane

  B) Occlusal plane

  
• Posterior (dorsal) refers to the back of the patient
• Anterior (ventral) refers to the front of the patient
• Plantar refers to the sole or posterior surface of the foot
• Dorsal refers to the top or anterior surface of the foot (dorsum pedis)
• Dorsal refers to the back or posterior aspect of the hand (dorsum manus)
• Palmar refers to the palm of the hand
• Projection is a positioning term that describes the direction or path of the CR of the x-ray beam as it passes through the patient
• Posteroanterior (PA) projection refers to a projection of the CR that enters from the posterior surface of the patient to the anterior surface.
• Anteroposterior (AP) projection refers to a projection of the CR that enters from the anterior surface of the patient to the posterior surface
• AP oblique projection must include a qualifying term that indicates which way it is rotated, such as medial or lateral rotation. The CR enters the anterior surface and exits the posterior surface of the patient
• PA oblique projection must include a qualifying term that indicates which way it is rotated, such as medial or lateral rotation. The CR enters the posterior surface and exits the anterior surface of the patient
• Supine position is lying on the back facing upward
• Prone position is lying on the abdomen facing downward (head may be turned to one side)
• Erect position is an upright position
• Recumbent is lying down in any position (prone, supine, or on the side)
• Dorsal recumbent is lying on the back in a supine position
• Ventral recumbent is lying face down in a prone position
• Lateral recumbent is lying on the left or right lateral side
• Trendelenburg is a recumbent position with the body titled and the head is lower than the feet
• Reverse trendelenburg is a recumbent position with the body tilted and the head is higher than the feet
• Sims position is a recumbent oblique position with the patient laying on the left anterior side with the right knee and thigh flexed and the left arm extended down behind the back
• The lateral position refers to the side of or a side view. It is described as the side of the body closest to the IR