Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacrum and Coccyx

Question 1

Thoracic Spine AP

Answer 1

Position:

• Spinous process align with midline of vertebral bodies
• Distance from pedicles to spinous process are equal on both sides
• Distance from vertebral column to sternoclavicular joints are equal
• Intervertebral disk space open
• Vertebral bodies not distorted

Area:
-C7 to L1, 2.5 inches of posterior ribs

Question 2

Thoracic Spine Lateral

Answer 2

Position:

• Intervertebral foramina are open
• Posterior surface of vertebral bodies are superimposed
• Intervertebral disk space open
• Vertebral bodies not distorted

Area:
-C7 to L1

Question 3

Lumbar Spine AP

Answer 3

Position:

• Psoas muscles shown
• Spinous process are aligned with midline of vertebral bodies
• Distance from pedicles to spinous process are equal
• Sacrum and coccyx centered within pelvic inlet
• Intervertebral disk space open
• Vertebral bodies not distorted

Area:
-T12, L1 to L5, sacroiliac joints, sacrum and psoas muscles

Question 4

Lumbar Spine Lateral

Answer 4

Position:

• Intervertebral foramina and spinous process shown
• Right and left pedicles and posterior surface of vertebral bodies are superimposed
• Intervertebral disk space open
• Vertebral bodies not distorted
• Lumbar vertebral column is in neutral position (neutral), in a very straight longitudinal axis with increased lordotic curvature (flex), or has increased lordotic curvature (ext)

Area:
-T11 and T12, L1 to L5 and sacrum

Question 5

Lumbar Spine Oblique

Answer 5

Position:

• Superior and inferior articular processes shown
• Zygapophyseal joints shown
• Pedicles are seen halfway between midpoint and lateral borders of vertebral bodies

Area:
-T12, L1 to L5, S1 to S2 and sacroiliac joints

Question 6

Sacrum AP

Answer 6

Position:

• Median sacral crest and coccyx align with symphysis pubis
• S1 to S5 not foreshortened
• Sacrum foramina have equal spacing
• Symphysis pubis not superimposed over sacrum

Area:
-L5, S1 to S5, C1, symphysis pubis and sacroiliac joints

Question 7

Sacrum Lateral

Answer 7

Position:

• L5 to S1 intervertebral foramina are open
• L5 not distorted
• Greater sciatic notches are superimposed
• Femoral heads are aligned

Area:
-L5, S1 to S5, C1 and promontory

Question 8

Coccyx AP

Answer 8

Position:

• Coccyx align with symphysis pubis and is equidistant from lateral walls of pelvic inlet
• C1 to C3 are not foreshortened and not superimposed by symphysis pubis

Area:
-S5 and 3 coccygeal vertebrae

Question 9

Coccyx Lateral

Answer 9

Position:

• Median sacral crest shown
• Greater sciatic notches are superimposed
• Femoral heads are aligned

Area:
-S5, C1 to C3, inferior median sacral crest