Imagine Upper Quarter Flashcards
Routine radiographs on the cervical spine are done where?
- AP open-mouth
- AP lower cervical spine
- Lateral
What is the less common radiograph in the cervical spine?
Oblique
What is the AP open mouth radiograph best at showing?
Best at demonstrating the AA joint
When taking an AP x-ray of the lower cervical spine, what will you see?
Demonstrates lower cervical vertebrae, upper thoracic, associated ribs, and clavicles
When looking at an AP x-ray of the lower cervical spine, what exactly does the vertebral column look like?
- Vertically aligned vertebral bodies
- Midline spinous processes
- Lateral column has overlapping articular pillars and Z joints and one smooth bony column lateral to the bodies
What is difficult to see with an AP lower cervical spine x-ray?
- TPs difficult to discern
- Uncovertebral joints
What color is the air filled trachea on an x-ray?
Dark gray, almost black
What does a lateral x-ray show in the upper extremity?
Demonstrates alignment of all cervical vertebrae
Normal vertebral alignment on a lateral x-ray can be seen by 3 parallel lines, what are these borders?
- Anterior vertebral borders
- Posterior vertebral borders
- Spinolaminar line
What is the spinolaminar line?
- Spinous process and laminae junction
- Represent posterior extent of central spinal canal
The normal vertebral alignment in a lateral x-ray should remain constant whether the neck is …
In neutral, flexed, or extended aka stress views when investigating mechanical instability
What do you notice about intervertebral and interspinous spacing in flexion compared to extension?
Vertebral bodies in x-rays are what shape with what kind of edges?
Boxed, with smooth edges
What x-ray position gives the best view of the disc spaces?
Lateral
What x-ray position gives the best view of the Z joint spaces?
Lateral
