General Anatomy, Terminology, and Positioning

Lateral position

Refers to teh side of , or a side view

Plantar

Refers to teh sole or posterior surface of the foot.

Posterior or dorsal

Refers to the back half of the patient, or that part of the body seen when the person is viewed from the back; includes the bottoms of the feet and the backs of the hands as demonstrated in the anatomic position.

Anterior or ventral

Refers to the front half of the patient, or the part seen when viewed fro the front; includes the tops of the feet and the fronts or palms of the hands in the anatomic position.

Palmar

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

Medial vs lateral

Toward vs away from the center, or median plane.

Ulnar deviation vs. radial deviation of the wrist

Ulnar deviation is to turn or bend the hand and wrist from the natural position toward teh ulnar side, and redial deviation is toward the radial side of the wrist.

Flexion vs extension

When a joint is flexed or extended, the angel between parts is decreased or increased.

Dorsal

1. Foot: refers to the top or anterior surface of teh foot (dorsum pedis). 2. Hand: refers to the back or posterior aspect of the hand (dorsum manus).

PA oblique projection

A PA projection of the upper limb with lateral rotation (from PA) is shown in Fig. 1-47. This projection is described as a PA oblique. It must also include a qualifying term that indicates which way it is rotated. With a PA oblique projection, the CR enters the posterior surface and exits the anterior surface of the body or body part.

Coronal Plane

A coronal plane is any longitudinal plane that divides the body int anterior and posterior parts. The mid-coronal plane divides the body into approximately equal anterior and posterior parts. It is called a coronal plane because it passes approximately through the coronal structure of the skull. Any plane parallel to the mid-coronal or frontal plane is called a coronal plane.

Horizontal (axial) Plane

A 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.

Mediolateral and lateromedial projections

A lateral projection described by the path of the CR. Two examples are the mediolateral projection of the ankle and the loteromedial projection of the wrist. The medial and lateral sides are determined with the patient in the anatomic position.

Transthoracic lateral projection

A lateral projection through the thorax.

Anteroposterior (AP) projection

A projection of CR from anterior to posterior, the opposite of PA. Combines these two terms, anterior and posterior, into one word. Describes the direction of travel of the CR, which enters at an anterior surface and exits at a posterior surface (AP projection). Assumes a true AP without rotation unless a qualifier term also is used, indicating it to be oblique projection.

Posteroanterior (AP) projection

A projection of the CR from posterior to anterior. Combines these two terms, posterior and anterior, into one word, abbreviated as PA. The CR enters at the posterior surface and exits at the anterior surface (PA projection). Assumes a true PA without intentional rotation, which requires the CR to be perpendicular to the coronal body plane and parallel to the sagittal plane, unless some qualifying oblique or rotational term is used to indicate otherwise.

Radiographic examination or procedure

A radiographic examination involves five general functions: 1. Positioning of body part and alignment with the IR and CR. 2. Selection of radiation protection measures. 3. Selection of exposure factors (radiographic technique) on the control panel (generator). 4. Patient instructions related to respiration (breathing) and initiation ( or "making") of the exposure. 5. Processing of the IR.

Lithotomy

A recumbent position with knees and hip flexed and thighs abducted and rotated externally, supported by ankle supports.

Fowler's

A recumbent position with the body tilted with the head higher than the feet.

Trendelenburg

A recumbent position with the body tilted with the head lower than the feet.

Sims' position

A recumbent position with the patient lying on the left anterior side, with the right knee and thigh flexed and the left arm extended down behind the back.

Sagittal plane

A sagittal plane is any longitudinal plane that divides teh body into right and left parts. The midsagittal plane, sometimes called the median plane, is a mid-line sagittal plane that divides the body into equal right and left parts. It passes approximately through the sagittal suture of the skull. Any plane parallel to the midsagittal or median plane is called a sagittal plane

Normal hyper-extension of wrist

A second example of a special use of the term hyper-extension is that of the wrist, where the carpal canal or carpal tunnel view of the carpals is visualized by a special hyper-extended wrist movement in which the wrist is extended beyond the neutral position.

AP oblique projection

An AP projection of the upper or lower limb that is rotated is called "oblique." Thus, this is not a true AP projection and must also include a qualifying term that indicates which way it is rotated, such as medial or lateral rotation. With an AP oblique projection, the CR enters the anterior surface and exits the posterior surface of the body or body part.

Radiograph

An Image of a patient's anatomic parts as produced by the action of x-rays on an image receptor. If the radiograph with the use of traditional film-screen technology, the image is stored and displayed on film; if the radiograph is produced via digital technology, the image is viewed and stored with the use of computers.

Acute flexion of wrist

An acute or full flection of the wrist is required for a special tangential projection for a carpal bridge view of the posterior aspect of the wrist.

Oblique Position

An angled position in which neither the sagittal nor the coronal body plane is perpendicular or at a right angel to the IR

Oblique plane

An oblique plane is a longitudinal or transverse plane that is at an angle or slant and is not parallel to the sagittal, coronal, or horizontal plane.

Erect

An upright position, to stand or sit erect.

Axial projection

Axial refers to the long axis of a structure or part.

Sagittal, coronal, and axial images

CT, MRI and Sonography images are obtained in these three common orientations or views.

Cephalad vs caudad

Caphalad means toward, whereas caudad means away from, the head end of the body.

Left and Right posterior oblique positions

Describe those specific oblique positions in which the left or right posterior aspect of the body is closest to the IR.

Hyper extension

Extending a joint beyond the straight or neutral position.

Normal flexion and hyper-extension of spine

Flexion is bending forward, and extension is returning to the straight or neutral position.

Radiograph vs. x-ray film

In practice, the terms radiograph and x-ray film often are used interchangeably. However, x-ray film specifically refers to teh physical piece of material on which a latent radiographic image is stored. The term radiograph includes the recording medium and the image.

Dorsal decubitus position - left or right lateral

In this position the patient is lying on the dorsal surface with the x-ray beam directed horizontally , exiting from the side closest to the IR.

Ventral decubitus position - right or left lateral

In this position the patient is lying on the ventral surface with the x-ray beam directed horizontally, exiting from the side closest to the IR

Right or left lateral decubitus position - AP or PA projection

In this position, the patient lies on the side, and the x-ray beam is directed horizontally from anterior to posterior or from posterior to anterior.

Inferosuperior and superoinferior axial projections

Inferosuperior axial projections are frequently performed for the shoulder and hip., where the CR enters below or inferiorly and exits above or superiorly.

Interior vs exterior

Interior is inside of something, nearer the center, and exterior is situated on or near the outside.

Ipsilateral vs contralateral

Ipsilateral is on the same side of the body or part; contralateral is on the opposite side.

Decubitus position

Literally means to "lie down."

Recumbent

Lying down in any position, (prone, supine, or on side). * Dorsal recumbent: Lying on back (supine). *Ventral recumbent: Lying face down (prone). *Lateral recumbent: Lying on side (right or left lateral).

Prone

Lying on abdomen, facing downward

Supine

Lying on back facing upward

Proximal vs distal

Proximal is near the source or beginning adn distal is away from.

Right and left anterior oblique positions

Refer to those oblique positions in which the right or left anterior aspect of the body is closest to the IR and can be erect or recumbent general body positions.

Transverse or axial sections (cross sections)

Sectional images are at right angles along any point of the longitudinal axis of the body or its parts.

Superficial vs deep

Superficial is nearer the skin surface; deep is farther away.

Tangential projection

Tangential means touching a curve or surface at only one point.

Anatomic Position

The Anatomic Position is a reference position that defines specific surfaces and planes of the body. The anatomic position is an upright position with the arms adducted (down), palms forward and head and feet direct straight ahead.

Parietoacanthial and acanthioparietal projections

The CR enters the cranial parietal bone exits at the acanthion for the parietoacanthial projection.

Central ray (CR)

The central ray refers to the center-most portion of the x-ray beam emitted fro the x-ray tube; that portion of the x-ray beam that has the least divergence.

Image Receptor (IR)

The device that captures the radiographic image that exits the patient; refers to both film/screen cassettes, and to digital acquisition devices.

Base Plane of Skull

The precise transverse plane is formed by connecting the lines from the infraorbital margins (inferior edge of bony orbits) to the superior margins of the external auditory meatus (EAM), the external opening of the ear this iss sometimes is called the Frankfort horizontal plane, as used in orthodontics and cranial topography to measure and locate specific cranial points or structures.

Radiography

The process and procedures of producing a radiograph.

Dorsoplantar and plantodorsal projections

These are secondary terms for AP or PA projections of the foot.

Submentovertex and verticosubmental projections

These projections are used for the skull and mandible.

Longitudinal sections, sagittal, coronal, and oblique

These sections or images run lengthwise in the direction of the long axis of the body or any of its parts, regardless of the position of the body (erect or recumbent).

Occlusal plane

This horizontal plane is formed by the biting surfaces of the upper and lower teeth with jaws closed (used as a reference plane of the head for cervical spine and skull radiography).

AP axial projection - lordotic position

This is a specific AP chest projection for demonstrating the apices of the lungs.