Positioning Terms

Question 1

Dorsal Decubitus

Answer 1

A person is lying on their back and the x-ray beam is horizontal and parallel to the floor

Question 2

Flowlers

Answer 2

Body is Supine and the head is elevated to about 30 degrees. The head is higher than the torso

Question 3

Lateral

Answer 3

A person or body part is on their side

Question 4

Lateral Decubitus

Answer 4

A person lying on their side and the x-ray beam is horizontal and parallel to the floor

Question 5

Left Anterior Oblique

Answer 5

A person or body part is lying face down on an angle with their left side in contact with the flat surface of the table

Question 6

Left Posterior Oblique

Answer 6

A person or body part is lying face up on an angle with their left side in contact with the flat surface or table

Question 7

Lithotomy

Answer 7

The body is supine, the legs and hips are flexed and the legs are abducted outwards from the midline

Question 8

Oblique

Answer 8

Used to describe a person or body part lying on an angle to the flat surface of a table, upright bucky or image plate

Question 9

Prone

Answer 9

Patient is lying face down with their legs out

Question 10

Right Posterior Oblique

Answer 10

A person or body part is lying face up on an angle with their right side in contact with the flat surface or table

Question 11

Right Anterior Oblique

Answer 11

A person or body part is lying face down on an angle with their right side in contact with the flat surface or table

Question 12

Recumbent

Answer 12

Patient is lying down in any position

Question 13

Supine

Answer 13

Patient is lying on their back with their legs straight out

Question 14

Trendelenburg

Answer 14

The body is supine and inclined with the head down approximately 40-45 degrees. The head is lower than the torso

Question 15

Ventral Decubitus

Answer 15

A person is lying on their front (stomach) and the x-ray beam is horizontal and parallel to the floor