Review Exercise E: Positioning of Forearm/Elbow/Humerus & Self test

which special projection(s) of the elbow should be performed instead of the routine AP if the patient's elbow is tightly flexed and cannot extend at all?

Two central ray perpendicular to humerus and central ray perpendicular to forearm

Which routine projections are required for a study of the forearm?

AP and Lateral

Which routine projection of the elbow best demonstrates the radial head,neck and tuberosity with slight superimposition of the ulna?

AP oblique with 45 degree lateral rotation

which projection of the elbow best demonstrates the coronoid process in profile?

AP oblique with 45 degree medial rotation

T/F For a forearm study, the technologist needs to include only the joint closest to the site of the injury

False

Arthrography is a radiographic study of:

Soft tissue structures within certain synovial joints

Which two bony landmarks are palpated to assist with positioning of the upper limb?

lateral and medial epicondyles

the best position to evaluate the posterior fat pads of the elbow joint is

lateral, flexed 90 degree

the ulnar notch is located at the

medial aspect of the distal radius

If the patient cannot fully extend the elbow for the AP projection, what alternative projection(s) should be performed?

Two AP. one with the humerus parallel to the IR and one with the forearm parallel to the IR

To position the patient properly for an AP projection of the elbow, the epicondyles must be ________ to the IR

parallel

the long axis of the anatomic part being imaged should be placed

parallel to the long axis of the IR

a radiograph of an AP elbow projection demonstrates total separation between the proximal radius and ulna. what must be done to correct this positioning error on the repeat exposure?

rotate upper limb medially

the distal radius will cross over the ulna when the hand is pronated T/F

true

in a radiographic the study of the forearm, the proximal radius crossed over the ulna in the frontal projection. which specific positioning error led to this radiographic outcome?

PA forearm projection was performed rather than AP

How much is the upper limb rotated for a lateral (rotation) oblique projection of the elbow?

45 degree laterally

where is the coronoid tubercle located?

Medial aspect of coronoid process

a radiograph of an AP elbow projection shows considerable superimposition between the proximal radius and ulna. Which specific positioning error is involved?

The elbow is rotated medially

where are the coronoid and radial fossae located?

anterior aspect of distal humerus

where is the pronator fat strip located?

anterior to the distal radius

which of the following structures is located on the distal humerus?

capitulum

Why should a forearm never be taken as a PA projection?

causes the proximal radius to cross over the ulna

a radiograph of an AP oblique medial rotation shows that the coronoid process is not in profile and the radial head is not superimposed over the ulna. what specific positioning error was involved?

excessive medial rotation

T/F Placing multiple images on the same digital IP is recommended as long as close collimation is applied for each projection

false

T/F anterior and posterior fat pads of the elbow are best seen on correctly positioned and correctly exposed AP elbow projections

false

a radiograph of a lateral projection of the elbow shows that the humeral epicondyles are not superimposed and the trochlear notch is not clearly, demonstrated. which specific type of positioning error is involved?

forearm and humerus are not on the same horizontal plane

a radiograph of a lateral projection of the elbow shoes that the epicondyles are not superimposed and the trochlear notch is not clearly seen. what must be done to correct this positioning error during the repeat exposure?

place humerus/forearm in same horizontal plane

what is the only difference among the four radial head lateral projections of the elbow?

the rotational position of the hand & wrist

T/F To visualize fat pads surrounding the elbow, exposure factors must be adjusted to see both bony and soft tissue structures.

true

Which bone of the upper limb contains the coronoid process?

ulna