Introduction To Radiographic Technique And Positioning Flashcards
What is the anatomical position?
- Person stands erect with feet together and eyes forward.
- Palms face anteriorly with the thumbs pointed away from the body.
Describe the transverse/axial plane.
Runs horizontally and divides body into superior and inferior parts.
Describe the Coronal (frontal) plane.
Lies vertically and divides body into anterior and posterior parts.
Describe the Median (Midsagittal) plane.
Specific sagittal plane that lies vertically in the midline.
Explain the term Superior (cranial) and give an example.
Toward the head end or upper part of structure or the body; above.
E.g. the head is superior to the abdomen.
Explain the term inferior (caudal) and give an example.
Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure/ body; below.
E.g. The navel is inferior to the chin.
Explain the term anterior (ventral) and give an example.
Toward or at the front of the body’ in front of.
E.g. The breastbone is anterior to the spine.
Explain the term posterior (dorsal) and give an example.
Toward or at the back of the body; behind.
E.g. The heart is posterior to the breastbone.
Explain the term medial and give an example.
Toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of.
E.g. The heart is medial to the arm. —> l <—
Explain the term lateral and give an example.
Away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of
E.g. The arms are lateral to the chest. <— l —>
Explain the term proximal and give an example.
Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.
E.g. The elbow is proximal to the wrist
Explain the term distal and give an example.
Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.
E.g. The knee is distal to the thigh.
Explain the term superficial (external) and give an example.
Toward or at the body surface.
E.g. The skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles.
Explain the term deep (internal) and give an example.
Away from the body surface; more internal.
E.g. The lungs are deep to the skin.
Explain the term ipsilateral and give an example.
On the same side.
E.g. The right hand and right foot are ipsilateral.
Explain the term contralateral and give an example.
On opposite sides.
E.g. The right hand and left foot are contralateral.
Define palmar
Palm of hand plane
Define plantar
Sole of foot plane
Define dorsum
The back or posterior side of a structure
What is the supine position?
Lying back
What is the prone position?
Lying on your front
Define the erect position
Standing up
What is the semi - recumbent position?
Sitting up in bed
What is a lateral position?
Facing their side
What is the right/left lateral decubitus position?
Lying on their side
What is the definition of projection?
A term used to describe the entrance and exit points of the X-ray beam as it passes through the body when a radiograph is taken.
Define the AP projection.
Anterior - posterior
Usually used for chest X-rays
What is the PA projection?
Posterior - anterior
What is meant by abduct?
Moving hand away
What is meant by adduct?
Moving hand closer
What is meant by cranial/cephalic?
Towards the head
What is meant by artefact?
Something that isn’t part of the original anatomy
What is meant by radiolucent?
See through due to low density
What is meant by radiopaque?
High density, unable to see through
What is meant by the term superimpose?
To be on top of e.g. the sternum superimposes the heart.
What is the Focus-film distance (FFD)?
Detector to X-ray tube distance usually 100cm
What is the focus-object distance (FOD)?
Tube to object/body part distance
What is the object-film distance (OFD)?
Body part to detector distance
What is the name of the plane that divides the body into equal right and left parts?
Midsagittal
If an object is radiolucent, what appearance does it have on the resultant image?
Black or dark
What is the back of the body referred to as?
Posterior
What does the term pronate mean?
Inward turn/roll of the foot so the sole is facing inwards
Give an example of a radiopaque structure?
Bone
On an anterior oblique projection, which part of the patient is nearest the image receptor?
Patient’s arm
What does the axial/transverse plane divide the body into?
Superior and inferior
In which direction does a caudally angled central ray point?
Caudal towards feet
What does the principle of justification state?
- The benefit of the radiation dose should be weighed
against its possible detriment. - It’s the role of the practitioner under IR(ME)IR.
- It should be completed for each separate radiation
exposure.
Benefits outweigh the risk.
Who does justification apply to?
- Patients as part of the medical diagnosis and treatment.
- Individuals as part of the health screening process
- Patients or individuals voluntarily involved in a research
programme. - Carers or comforters.
- Asymptomatic individuals.
- Individuals undergoing non-medical imaging using medical
radiological equipment.
Why is justification required?
It is our responsibility as practitioners under IR(ME)IR to safeguard against any unnecessary radiation exposure to individuals.
What is the principle of optimisation?
- Optimisation is the joint responsibility of the operator/practitioner and MPE (medical physics expert).
- The principle states that “the practitioner and operator…must ensure that doses… are kept ALARP consistent with the intended purpose”.
- The purpose of optimisation is to achieve the best image quality required to answer the clinical question.
How can you achieve optimisation?
- Training regulations: Training to ensure all practitioners are competent and aware how to use the equipment.
- Protocol regulation: Rigorous and clear protocols are set in place for all medical exposures.
- Quality assurance and regulation: Comprehensive QA programmes for both written procedures or equipment and methods.
- Equipment regulation: Equipment is appropriate for the individual examination and due consideration is given to ensuring that each exposure is ALARP.
- MPE advice regulation: must be consulted on radiation dose issues and radiation protection and DRLs.
- Clinical audit regulation: how audits are carried out and practices are changed as a result of these audits.
- Carers and comforters’ regulation: adhering to dose constraints as set out in employers’ procedures. ALARA/ALARP
What is ALARA/ALARP?
As low as reasonably achievable/practicable.
- Patient dose versus image quality.
- Diagnostic image versus a non-diagnostic image.
Who is the referrer?
Referrer: must be a registered healthcare professional, they are entitled by their employers to request medical imaging within the remit of the referral guidelines such as iRefer or NICE guidelines. Refers can be medical practitioners /advanced nurse practitioners
What is a referral?
Referral: is a document from the referrer to the practitioner specifying why a medical exposure is required.
What does the practitioner do?
Practitioner: justify the referral and conduct a medical exposure that is optimised and in line with the national guidelines and hospital protocols.
