Positioning and Projections of the Elbow

60 - 70

kV range for projections/ positions of the elbow

Beam angulation

Must be changed to accommodate the acute flexion and maintain a true AP when doing an AP elbow Jones method for acute flexion

Olecranon process

Part of the elbow joint that should be in profile on a radiograph of a correct lateromedial lateral elbow

Proximal forearm

Portion of the upper limb that is positioned flat on the IR with the humerus above for the first projection of an AP elbow partial flexion

Distal humerus

Portion of the upper limb that should be flat against the IR the shoulder down for the second projection of an AP elbow partial flexion

Length of forearm

Thing to which the CR should be perpendicular to for the projection of the proximal forearm of an AP elbow partial flexion

Length of humerus

Thing to which the CR should be perpendicularl to for the projection of the distal humerus of an AP elbow partial flexion

Radial head

Should be superimposed by the coronoid process on a radiograph of a correct lateromedial lateral elbow

Partially open

Appearance of the trochlear (semilunar) notch on a radiograph of a correct AP medial oblique elbow

Elbow

Area of interest to which you should collimate for projections of the elbow

10 x 12

IR size used for radiographs of the elbow

Three concentric arches (trochlear sulcus, capitellum, and trochlear sulcus)

Indicates a true lateral view on a radiograph of a correct lateromedial lateral elbow

Coronoid process

Is in profile on a radiograph of a correct AP medial oblique elbow

Two

Number of images that must be taken when using an AP elbow partial flexion or AP elbow Jones method for acute flexion to include the proximal forearm and the distal humerus

Lateral epicondyle and capitulum

Parts of the distal humerus that will be elongated on a radiograph of a correct AP lateral oblique elbow

Medial epicondyle and trochlea

Parts of the elbow joint that are elongated on a radiograph of a correct AP medial oblique elbow

Radial head, neck, and tuberosity

Parts of the forearm that should be free of imposition over the ulna on a radiograph of a correct AP lateral oblique elbow

Radial head, neck, and tuberosity

Parts of the forearm that will be slightly superimposed over the ulna on a radiograph of an AP elbow or an AP elbow partial flexion if it is in a true AP position

Distal humerus and proximal forearm

Parts of the upper limb for which two projections are used in an AP elbow jones method for acute flexion

Shoulder down, elbow bent 90 degrees, hand and wrist in true lateral position with thumb up, and epicondyles parallel to IR

Patient position for a lateromedial lateral elbow

Palm up and shoulder down

Patient position for an AP elbow

Shoulder down, arm extended, arm rotated laterally with pinky up, and epicondyles at 45 degrees from IR

Patient position for an AP lateral oblique elbow

Palm down, shoulder down, arm extended, and epicondyles at 45 degrees from the IR

Patient position for an AP medial oblique

Mid elbow joint (crease of the arm)

Place where the CR should be centered for projections/ positions of the elbow

Humerus between epicondyles

Place where the CR should be centered for the projection of the humerus in an AP elbow Jones method acute flexion

Forearm 2 inches above the olecranon process

Place where the CR should be centered for the projection of the proximal forearm in an AP elbow Jones method for acute flexion

Seated in fossa

Position of the olecranon on a radiograph of a correct AP medial oblique elbow

AP Elbow

Projection of the elbow for which the elbow must be fully extended to view fractures and dislocations of the elbow

AP medial (medial rotation) oblique elbow

Projection of the elbow that best visualizes the coronoid process and the trochlea

Lateromedial lateral elbow

Projection of the elbow that best visualizes the olecranon process

AP lateral (lateral rotation) oblique elbow

Projection of the elbow that best visualizes the radial head and neck and the capitulum

AP elbow Jones method for acute flexion

Projection of the elbow that is used for patients who must keep the elbow in acute flexion. Two projections are taken to equal one

AP elbow partial flexion

Projection of the elbow that may be performed when the elbow cannot be fully extended and fractures or dislocations of the elbow must be viewed. For this procedure to projections are taken to equal one

40 inches

SID used for projections/ positions of the elbow

In profile

Where the epicondyles should be on a radiograph of an AP elbow ort an AP elbow in partial flexion