T-Spine Test Flashcards
Explain how the anode heel effect is used when imaging the AP T-Spine.
The thicker part of the body can be placed under the cathode side of the tube and the thinner part of the body can be placed under the anode side of the tube for optimal exposure and density across the whole image.
If the patient is positioned correctly for an AP thoracic spine, which of the following should be seen on the image:
1.) spinous process
2.) transverse process
3.) intervetebral foramina
4.) posterior ribs
5.) pedicle
a.) 3, 4 and 5
b.) 3 and 4
c.) 1, 2 and 3
d.) 1, 2 and 4
d.) 1, 2 and 4
Intervetebral foramina are best seen on:
a.) lateral
b.) AP
c.) swimmers
a.) lateral
For an AP thoracic projection, the
1.) should and the ASISs are positioned at equal distances from the IR
2.) hips and knees are flexed until the lower back is pressed against the imaging table
3.) central ray is centered to the fifth thoracic vertebra
4.) transversely collimated field is open to an 8 inch field size
a.) 1, 2 and 4
b.) 1 and 2
c.) 3 and 4
d.) 1, 2, 3 and 4
a.) 1, 2 and 4
No rotation on an AP thoracic spine is indicated by:
a.) SC joints are equidistant from the spine
b.) posterior ribs are superimposed
c.) zygapophyseal joints are closed
d.) intervetebral foramina are closed
a.) SC joints are equidistant from the spine
The CR for an AP T spine should be:
1.) angled cephalically
2.) angled caudally
3.) angled perpendicuallary
4.) centered to T7
5.) centered to T8
6.) centered 2 inches below jugular notch
a.) 1 and 5
b.) 1 and 4
c.) 3 and 4
d.) 2 and 6
c.) 3 and 4
Even with good collimation on a lateral thoracic spine, the scatter radiation reaching the image receptor obscures the spinous processes. What can the technologist do to improve the visibility of the posterior elements of the spine?
a.) place a lead strip on the table posterior to the patient
b.) increase the KV, lower the MAS
c.) use higher speed screens and film
d.) use a higher grid ratio
a.) place a lead strip on the table posterior to the patient
Which structures form the zygapophyseal joints?
1.) lamina
2.) superior artucular process
3.) pedicle
4.) transverse process
5.) inferior articular process
a.) 2 and 5
b.) 3, 4 and 5
c.) 1, 2 and 5
d.) 1 and 2
a.) 2 and 5
T2-T3 disk space is found at the level of the:
a.) sternal angle
b.) jugular notch
c.) xiphoid process
d.) 2 inches below the jugular notch
b.) jugular notch
Where is the IR centered for the lateral projection of the cervicothoracic region (swimmers technique)?
a.) sixth cervical vertebra
b.) first thoracic vertebra
c.) at the c7-T1 interspace
d.) seventh cervical vertebra
c.) at the c7-T1 interspace
What structures are not visualized well on a lateral t spine?
a.) T1 to T3
b.) intervetebral disk spaces
c.) intervetebral foramina
d.) T1 to T5
a.) T1 to T3
An AP thoracic projection obtained with the patient rotated toward the left side demonstrates:
1.) the spinous processes positioned closer to the right side
2.) a greater distance from the right pedicle to the spinous process than from the left pedicle to the spinous process
3.) the right SC joint superimposed over the vertebral column
4.) closed intervetebral disk spaces
a.) 2 and 3
b.) 1 and 3
c.) 1, 2, 3 and 4
d.) 4 only
b.) 1 and 3
The zygopophyseal joints for the thoracic spine lie at an angle of _________ in rotation to the midsagital plane.
a.) 70 to 75 degrees
b.) 45 degrees
c.) 60 degrees
d.) 90 degrees
a.) 70 to 75 degrees
The posterior cervical oblique projections demonstrate the intervetebral foramina and pedicles on the side fartherest from the image receptor.
a.) true
b.) false
a.) true
How many bones make up the adult vertebral column?
a.) 28
b.) 31
c.) 33
d.) 26
d.) 26
Which two vertebral curves are kyphotic curves?
a.) cervical and thoracic
b.) cervical and lumbar
c.) throracic and sacral
d.) thoracic and lumbar
c.) thoracic and sacral
A patient enters the emergency department (ED) because of a motor vehicle accident. The patient is on a backboard and wearing a cervical collar. The technologist is concerned about the artifacts that the collar will project on the spine during the horizontal beam lateral projection. What should the technologist do in this situation ?
a.) for liability reasons, ask the patient to remove the collar
b.) remove the collar carefully and do not move the patients head
c.) have the nurse remove the collar and hold the patients head while you make the exposure
d.) leave the collar on
d.) leave the collar on
Which position/projection of the cervical spine will best demonstrate the zygopophyseal joint spaces between c1 and c2?
a.) AP open mouth
b.) lateral
c.) AP axial
d.) 45 degree obliques
a.) AP open mouth
Why is the intervetebral foramina important?
a.) allows each vertebra to articulate with the one below and one above it
b.) spinal cord runs through it
c.) it allows for movement and flexibility
d.) cushions the vertebral body
b.) spinal cord runs through it
The thoracic spine normally has a concave curvature.
a.) true
b.) false
b.) false
Scoliosis is defined as abnormal or exaggerated:
a.) swayback lumbar curvature
b.) concave curvature
c.) convex curvature
d.) lateral curvature
d.) lateral curvature
Where should the CR be positioned for both AP and lateral views of the T Spine?
a.) T7
b.) 3 inches below the jugular notch
c.) xiphoid
d.) T5
a.) T7
The inner portion of an intervetebral disk is called:
a.) annulus fibrosis
b.) the core
c.) nucleus pulposis
d.) body
c.) nucleus pulposis
For an AP t spine the image should be performed:
a.) on suspension of breathing
b.) with a breathing technique
c.) on expiration
d.) on inspiration
c.) on expiration
Which of the following factors will enhance the visibility of the vertebral bodies during a lateral projection of the thoracic spine?
a.) use a breathing technique
b.) increase SID
c.) use a high kv
d.) flex the spine
a.) use a breathing technique
The bony structures connected directly to the vertebral body are the:
a.) pedicles
b.) laminae
c.) transverse process
d.) articular processes
a.) pedicles
Sway back is also known as:
a.) kyphosis
b.) scolisosis
c.) osteoporosis
d.) lordosis
d.) lordosis
The semi gelatanious material within an intervetebral disk is called:
a.) cauda equina
b.) nucleus pulposis
c.) annulus fibrosis
d.) conus medullaris
b.) nucleus pulposis
A radiograph of an AP open mouth projection reveals that the base of the skull is superimposed over the dens. What positioning error led to this radiographic outcome?
a.) excessive extension of the skull
b.) excessive CR angulation
c.) excessice flexion of the skull
d.) rotation of the skull
a.) excessive extension of the skull
The xiphoid tip corresponds to the level of:
a.) t8-t9
b.) t7-8
c.) t10-11
d.) t12
c.) t10-11
T9 and T10 are located at the level of the:
a.) jugular notch
b.) xiphoid process
c.) sternal angle
d.) vertebra prominens
b.) xiphoid process
Which factor is most important to open up the intervetebral joint spaces for a lateral thoracic spine projection?
a.) keep vertebral column parallel to tabletop
b.) angle the CR 5 degrees to 10 degrees caudad
c.) use sufficiently high kv
d.) collimate the spine region to reduce scatter
a.) keep vertebral column parallel to tabletop
Why are the anterior obliques (RAO/LAO) positions preferred over the posterior oblique position sof the cervical spine?
a.) prevent overlap of the mandible over the spine
b.) place the zygopophyseal joints closer to the image receptor
c.) less thyroid and breast dose
d.) more comfortable for the patient
c.) less thyroid and breast dose
The ________ of the rib articulates with the vertebral body.
a.) costal groove
b.) neck
c.) head
d.) tubercle
c.) head
If there is no rotation on a lateral t spine then
a.) the SC joints will be equidistant form the spine
b.) there will be less than 1/2’’ between posterior ribs
c.) there will be less than 1 inch between the posterior ribs
d.) the entire thoracic spine will be seen from T1- T12
b.) there will be less than 1/2’’ between posterior ribs
A patient comes to radiology for a thoracic spine routine. The patient has a history of artiritis of the spine. The radiologist requests that additional projections to be taken to demonstrate the zygopophyseal joints. What positions/projections would be ideal to demonstrate these structures?
a.) spot AP and lateral projections of interest region
b.) swimmer lateral projection
c.) pillar view projection of interest region
d.) 70 degree oblique projectionsd
d.) 70 degree oblique projections
