Radiography (Thorax)

Question 1

What position for a PA x-ray?

Answer 1

PA: back to front (posterior-anterior)

Question 2

What position for an AP x-ray?

Answer 2

AP: front to back (anterior-posterior)

Question 3

What position for a lateral x-ray?

Answer 3

taken from the side in upright position (arm moved out of the way)

Question 4

What position for a lateral decubitus x-ray?

Answer 4

side line position with patient laying down/arms up

Question 5

Is a chest X-ray taken during inspiration or expiration?

Answer 5

Inspiration (needed for consistency between films)

Question 6

How would the heart shadow differ between a PA and AP x-ray view?

Answer 6

AP will make the heart shadow appear more distorted/larger/widened because the heart is further away from the film

Question 7

What are landmarks of the heart that can be seen on a PA chest x-ray?

Answer 7

-aortic arch
-left ventricle
-apex of heart
-right atrium

Question 8

What are the landmarks of the lungs/heart that can be seen on a PA chest x -ray?

Answer 8

-aortic arch
-left ventricle (left border)
-apex of the heart
-left diaphragm *
-right diaphragm*
-right atrium (right border)
-tracheal shadow
-R/L hilum/hilar points

*costophrenic angles/costodiaphragmatic recess

Question 9

What are hilar points formed by?

Answer 9

descending upper lobe veins crossing behind the lower lobe arteries to enter the hilum

Question 10

What are the landmarks on a lateral chest x-ray?

Answer 10

-sternal angle
-heart shadow
-costophrenic angle (recess)
-R vs L diaphragm comparison/overlap