Terminology

• Radiographic positioning


  The study of the patient's positioning to radiographically demonstrate or visualize specific body parts on image receptors (IR)
• Radiograph


  Film or other base material containing a processed image of an anatomic part of a patient as produced by action of x-rays on an IR
• Radiography


  The production of radiograph or other form of radiographic image

  
• 1. ray film


  The physical piece of material on which a radiographic image is exposed. The term radiograph includes the film and the image.
• Radiographic image


  Representation of the patient's anatomic structures
• Anatomic position


  An upright position, arms adducted, palms forward, head and feet directed straight ahead. This specific body position is used as a reference for other positioning terms.
• Viewing radiograph


  A general rule is to display them so that the patient is facing the viewer, with the patient in the anatomic position.
• Plane


  A straight line surface connecting two points
• Sagittal plane


  • Any longitudinal plane dividing the body into right and left parts
  • The midsagittal plane, sometimes called the median plane, is a midline sagittal plane dividing the body into equal right and left parts
  • Any plane parallel to the midsagittal or median plane is called a sagittal plane
• Coronal plane


  • Any longitudinal plane dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts
  • The midcoronal plane divides the body into approximately equal anterior and posterior parts
  • Any plane parallel to the midcoronal plane is called coronal plane
• Horizontal plane


  • Any transverse plane passing through the body at right angles to the longitudinal plane, dividing the body into superior and inferior portions
• Oblique plane


  • Longitudinal or transverse plane that is at an angle or slant and not parallel to the sagittal, coronal, or horizontal planes
• Section


  "Cut" or 'slice" image of body part

  
• Longitudinal sections


  • Sagittal, coronal and oblique sections or images that run lengthwise in the direction of the long axis of the body or any parts, regardless of the position of the body (erect or recumbent)

  
• Transverse or axial sections (cross-section)


  • Sectional images that are at right angles along any point of the longitudinal axis of the body or its parts
• Sagittal, coronal or axial images

  • CT and MRI images are obtained in these three common orientations or views
• Posterior or dorsal


  Refers to the back half of the patient, or that part of the body seen when viewing the person from the back
• Anterior or ventral


  Refers to front half of patients, or that part seen when viewed from the front
• Plantar


  Refers to the sole or posterior surface of the foot
• Dorsal


  • Foot: refers to the top or anterior surface of the foot (dorsum pedis)
  • Hand: refers to the back or posterior aspect of the hand (dorsum manus)
• Palmar


  Refers to the palm of the hand; in the anatomic position, the same as the anterior or ventral surface of the hand
• Medial


  Toward the median center or median plane
• Lateral


  Away from the median center or median plane
• Proximal


  Near the source or beginning
• Distal


  Away from the source or beginning
• Cephalad


  Toward the head end of the body
• Caudad


  Away from the head end of the body, toward the feet
• Interior (internal, inside)


  Inside of something, nearer to the center
• Exterior (external, outer)


  Situated on or near the outside
• Superficial


  Nearer the skin surface
• Deep


  Farther away from the skin surface
• Ipsilateral


  On the same side of the body or part
• Contralateral


  On the opposite side
• Flexion


  Decreasing the angle of a joint
• Extension


  Increasing the angle of a joint as the body part moves from a flexed to a straightened position
• Hyperextension


  Extending a joint beyond the straight or neutral position
• Ulnar deviation


  Turning or bending the hand and wrist from the natural position toward the ulnar side
• Radial deviation


  Turning or bending the hand and wrist from the natural position toward the radial side
• Dorsiflexion of foot


  Decreasing the angle (flexing) between the dorsum (top of foot) and the leg
• Plantar flexion of foot


  Increasing the angle between the dorsum (top) of the foot and the leg