projections and positions

• posterior anterior projection (PA)

  the central ray enters through the posterior side and exits through the anterior side
• anterior posterior projection (AP)

  central ray enters through the anterior side and exits through the posterior side
• AP oblique projection


  rotated body part where the central ray enters through the anterior side and exits through the posterior side
• PA oblique projection


  rotated body part where the central ray enters through the posterior side and exits through the anterior side
• lateral projections


  the central ray enters through the medial side and exits through the lateral side, and vice versa
• trendelenburg position


  head is lower than the feet
• fowler position


  head is higher than the feet
• lateral recumbent position


  laying fully on your side

  beam is perpendicular to the IR

  named for whichever side is closest to the IR
• lateral position


  upright at the Bucky with one side of the body touching the Bucky

  90 degree rotation

  either left or right depending on what side is closest to the IR
• oblique position


  45 degree angle of the body at the upright bucky named for whatever side of the body is closest to the IR
• left posterior oblique (LPO)position


  back is facing the bucky

  turn the body 45 degrees so the left shoulder is touching the bucky
• right posterior oblique (RPO)position


  back is facing the bucky

  turn the body 45 degrees so the right shoulder is touching the bucky
• left anterior oblique (LAO)position


  chest is facing the bucky

  turn the body 45 degrees so the left shoulder is touching the bucky
• right anterior oblique (RAO)position


  chest is facing the bucky

  turn the body 45 degrees so the right shoulder is touching the bucky
• decubitus position


  lying down and the beam is entering horizontal

  left or right is based on which side is down if lateral
• dorsal decubitus position


  lying flat on the table and the beam is entering horizontally

  left or right lateral depending on which is closest to the IR
• ventral decubitus position


  lying face down on the table and the beam is entering horizontally

  left or right lateral depending on which is closest to the IR
• axial projection


  any angle when the central ray is angled 10 degrees or more
• tangential projection


  the central ray skims the body part to avoid superimposing body structures
• AP axial projection

  the central ray stays straight instead of angled
• lordotic position


  the patient has their back to the bucky, steps a foot away and then leans their shoulders back against the bucky so they are now angled
• projection is the path of the beam
• position is how the patient is placed in relation to the IR