Position

Question 0

Supine

Answer 0

Lying on the back, facing upward.

Question 1

The term “position,” is used two ways in radiology. What are the two ways?

Answer 1

One way identifies overall posture of patient or the general body position (upright, seated, or supine.).
The other way refers to the specific placement of the body part in relation to the radiographic table or IR during imaging.

Question 2

Prone

Answer 2

Lying on abdomen, facing downward.

Question 3

Erect (upright)

Answer 3

Vertical

Question 4

Recumbent position

Answer 4

Lying down in any position.
Dorsal recumbent (lying on back supine.)
Ventral recumbent (lying face down prone.)
Lateral recumbent (lying on side-right or left.)

Question 5

Trendelenburg position

Answer 5

Supine position with head tilted downward.

Question 6

Fowler’s position

Answer 6

Recumbent position with the body tilted so that the head is higher than the feet.

Question 7

Sim’s position

Answer 7

A recumbent position with the patient lying on the left anterior side (semiprone) with the left leg extended and the right knee and thigh partially flexed.

Question 8

Lithotomy position

Answer 8

A supine position with the knees and hip flexed and thighs abducted and rotated externally, supported by ankle supports.

Question 9

When the term “position” is used to refer to specific body position, how is it described?

Answer 9

By the body part closest to the IR or by the surface on which the patient is lying. (Decubitus)

Question 10

Describe the right posterior oblique position.

Answer 10

The right posterior body surface is in contact with the radiographic table. The projection is an AP oblique projection.

Question 11

Describe the left anterior oblique position.

Answer 11

The left anterior body surface is in contact with the radiographic table. The projection is a PA oblique projection.

Question 12

When discussing oblique positions of the limbs,

Answer 12

The terms medial rotation and lateral rotation have been standardized to designate the direction in which the limbs have been turned from the anatomic position.

Question 13

Decubitus position indicates:

Answer 13

That the patient is lying down and that the CR is horizontal and parallel with the floor.

Question 14

The three primary decubitus positions which are named according to the body surface on which the patient is lying are:

Answer 14

Lateral decubitus (left or right.)
Dorsal decubitus
Ventral decubitus

Question 15

What position is most often used to demonstrate the presence of air-fluid levels or free air in the chest and abdomen?

Answer 15

The lateral decubitus position.

Question 16

What projection is associated with a lateral decubitus position?

Answer 16

An AP projection.

Question 17

What kind of projection is associated with a left ventral decubitus position?

Answer 17

A left lateral projection.

Question 18

Lordotic position

Answer 18

Is achieved by having the patient lean backward while in the upright body position so that only the shoulders are in contact with the IR, forming an angle between the CR and the long axis of the body and therefore forming an AP axial projection.
Used for visualization of the pulmonary apices.

Question 19

Method

Answer 19

Some radiographic projections and procedures are named after individuals. For example: AP axial projection is also known as Towne method.