Digestive System: Anatomy & Projections

Where in the large intestine is the sigmoid located?

Between the descending colon and the rectum

Where in the large intestine is the left colic flexure?

Between the transverse colon and descending colon

What does the distal esophagus empties its contents into?

Cardiac antrum

Which structure is the proximal part of the large intestine?

Cecum

Which structure, when visualized on an image as part of a small bowel series, usually indicates the completion of the exam?

Cecum

What is a biphasic GI examination?

Combination single-contrast and double-contrast study of the upper GI tract

Which instructions should be given to the patient if cramping is experienced during filling of the large intestine for a BE?

Concentrate on deep oral breathing

Which structure is the proximal part of the small intestine?

Duodenum

Approximately how long does it usually take the first part of a barium meal to reach the ileocecal valve?

2-3 hours

Approximately how long does it usually take a barium meal to reach the rectum?

24 hours

How many degrees and in which direction should the central ray be directed for the PA axial projection during a BE?

30-40 cephalic

For the double contrast UGI exam, which projection produces the best image of a gas filled duodenal bulb and pyloric canal?

AP oblique projection, recumbent LPO position

For the right lateral decubitus position as part of a BE, which procedure should be done to ensure that the ascending colon is demonstrated in the image?

Elevate the patient on a radiolucent support

Which body habitus produces the greatest visceral movement when a patient is moved from the prone position to the upright position?

Asthenic

Which area of the stomach is the most superior?

Fundus

In which body habitus type is the stomach almost horizontal and high in the abdomen?

Hypersthenic

Which opening is at the distal end of the small intestine?

Ileocecal orifice

Which structure is the distal part of the small intestine?

Ileum

For a small bowel series of a patient with hypomotility of the small intestine, which procedure should be performed to accelerate peristalsis?

Instruct the patient to drink a glass of ice water

Centering point for the PA oblique projection, RAO position, as part of the UGI exam?

L1-L2

Which BE projection does not require colic flexures to be included in the image?

Lateral

Which curvature is located on the right (medial) border of the stomach?

Lesser

Which procedure should be accomplished when inserting the enema tip for a BE?

Lubricate the tip with petroleum jelly

Which structures of the large intestine are of primary interest with AP axial or PA axial projections during a BE?

Sigmoid and rectum

Which exam of the alimentary canal requires that a series of images be taken at specific time intervals after the ingestion of the contrast medium?

Small bowel series

What is a major advantage of double-contrast UGI exam over single-contrast UGI exam?

Small lesions on the mucosal lining are better demonstrated

Which breathing procedure should the patient perform when UGI images are exposed?

Suspending expiration

For the PA projection during a BE, what is the advantage of placing the x-ray table and patient in a slight Trendelenburg position?

To help separate overlapping loops of the distal bowel

Before the enema tip is inserted during a BE, why should a small amount of barium sulfate mixture be allowed to run into a waste basin?

To remove air from the tube

Which part of the large intestine is located between the ascending and descending parts of the colon?

Transverse colon

To demonstrate swallowing function best, in which position should the patient be placed to begin the fluoroscopic phase of single-contrast examinations of the esophagus?

Upright

Which structure is the pouchlike part of the large intestine situated below the junction of the ileum and the colon?

Vermiform appendix

For the PA projection as part of the UGI exam, why should the lower lung fields be included?

To demonstrate the gas bubble in the fundus

Which two oblique projections can be performed to demonstrate best the left colic flexure during a BE?

PA oblique projection, LAO position, & AP oblique projection, RPO position

For the double-contrast UGI examination with the patient recumbent, which projection produces the best image of a gas-filled fundus?

PA oblique projection, RAO position

For the single contrast UGI exam with the patient recumbent, which projection produces the best image of a barium filled pyloric canal and duodenal bulb in patients whose habitus approximates the sthenic type?

PA oblique projection, RAO position

Which opening is located between the stomach and small intestine?

Pyloric orifice

Which area of the stomach is the most inferior?

Pylorus

For the UGI exam with the patient recumbent, which projection best stimulates gastric peristalsis to demonstrate the pyloric canal and duodenal bulb better?

RAO

Which two recumbent oblique positions can be used to demonstrate best an unobstructed image of a barium-filled esophagus between the vertebrae and the heart?

RAO and LPO

What is the proper sequence for filling the large intestine with barium when performing a BE?

Rectum, sigmoid, descending colon, transverse colon, then ascending colon

Which structure is located between the ascending and transverse colon?

Right colic flexure

Which structure of the large intestine is best demonstrated if the patient is rotated 45 degrees, with the right side of the abdomen elevated?

Right colic flexure

Which structure of the large intestine is of primary interest for the PA oblique projection, RAO position, during BE exams?

Right colic flexure

In which abdominal region does the large intestine originate?

Right iliac

For the UGI exam with the patient recumbent, which projection best demonstrates the right retrogastric space?

Right lateral projection