Chapter 5: Essential projections hand

Question 1

What are the essential projections for a hand image?

Answer 1

PA
Lateral
-lateral in extension position
-fan lateral position
PA oblique

Question 2

What should the patients position be like for a PA hand?

Answer 2

seat patient at the end of the radiographic table

adjust the patients height so that the forearm is resting on the table

Question 3

How should the patients hand be positioned? (part position)

Answer 3

palmar surface on IR
forearm on table
extend and separate digits to prevent soft tissue overlap
center third MCP joint to IR

Question 4

Where should the central ray be?

Answer 4

perpendicular to the third MCP joint

Question 5

What should IR/collimation be for a PA hand?

Answer 5

radiation field of 1 inch on all sides of the hand including 1 inch proximal to the ulnar styloid process

Question 6

PA oblique hand position (body part position)

Answer 6

forearm on table

palmar surface on IR

rotate palm away from IR until MCP joint forms 45-degree angle

Question 7

Where should the central ray enter for a PA oblique hand?

Answer 7

perpendicular to third MCP joint

Question 8

How should the hand be positioned for a lateral hand? (extension position)

Answer 8

Forearm on table

elbow flexed 90 degrees

hand on medial ulnar surface

radial and ulnar styloid’s superimposed and perpendicular to IR

extend digits 2 to 5 (superimpose phalanges)

Question 9

How should the hand be positioned for a fan lateral hand?

Answer 9

forearm on table with elbow flexed 90 degrees

hand resting on medial (ulnar) surface (lateromedial projection)

radial and ulnar styloids superimposed and perpendicular to IR

fan digits with phalanges individually separated

MCP joints centered to IR

Question 10

Where should the central ray enter for a fan lateral hand image?

Answer 10

perpendicular to the second MCP joint