Workbook Self Test: C-spine, T-spine, L-spine, Sacrum and Coccyx Flashcards
Which two vertebral curvatures are anteriorly concave?
Thoracic and Pelvic
Which two vertebral curves are kyphotic curves?
Thoracic and Pelvic
Which two vertebral curves are lordotic curves?
Cervical and Lumbar
Which two vertebral curves are primary curves?
Thoracic and Pelvic
Which spinal condition involves abnormally increased anterior concavity (posterior convexity) of the thoracic vertebral column?
Kyphosis
Which abnormal spinal condition involves any lateral curvature of the vertebral column?
Scoliosis
What is the name of the short, thick bony processes that project posteriorly from the lateral and superior aspects of vertebral bodies of typical vertebrae?
Pedicles
From the junction of which two vertebral structures do transverse process originate in typical vertebrae?
Pedicle and Lamina
Which vertebral structures unite at the origin of the spinous process of a typical vertebra?
Both laminae
Which structures of a typical vertebra are the zygapophyses?
Articular processes
On which structure is the dens located?
C2
Which structures is known as the “atlas”?
C1
Which structures is known as the “axis”?
C2
Which vertebral structures have bifid tips?
Spinous processes of cervical vertebrae
On which structure is the dens located?
Body of C2
Which cervical vertebral structures are perforated with a foramen for the passage of the vertebral artery and vein?
Transverse processes
With reference to the midsagittal plane, how do zygapophyseal joints open in cervical vertebrae?
90 degrees laterally
With reference to the midsagittal plane, how do zygapophyseal joints open in thoracic vertebrae?
70 to 75 degrees anteriorly
Thoracic vertebrae differ from cervical and lumbar vertebrae because thoracic vertebrae have:
demifacets
Which structures articulate with vertebral demifacets?
head of ribs
With reference to the midsagittal plane, how do zygapophyseal joints open in lumbar vertebrae?
30 to 60 degrees posteriorly
Lumbar vertebrae differ from cervical and thoracic vertebrae because lumbar vertebrae have:
broad, large spinous processes
Which parts of the sacrum form the joints with the ilia of the pelvis?
Auricular surfaces
The AP projection that demonstrates the dens using the Fuchs method differs from the AP projection (open mouth) because the Fuchs method:
Extends the chin and keeps the mouth closed
The radiographer should not use the Fuchs method to obtain the AP projection of the dens if the patient is:
Suspected to have a fracture or degenerative disease
Which projection of the Cervical vertebrae demonstrates the dens imaged within the foramen magnum?
AP projection (Fuchs method)
Which cervical structures are best demonstrated with the AP projection (open mouth)?
C1 and C2
How should the central ray be directed for the AP projection (open mouth)?
perpendicularly
How and where should the central ray be directed for the AP axial projection of the cervical vertebral column?
15 to 20 degrees cephalad to C4
How should the IR be positioned for the AP axial projection of the cervical vertebral column?
Centered to C4
For which projection of the cervical vertebrae should the central ray be angled 15 to 20 degrees cephalad?
AP axial projection
Which evaluation criterion does not apply to the AP axial projection of the cervical vertebrae column?
C1 and C2 should be seen without mandibular superimposition
Which projection of the cervical vertebral column requires an SID of 72 inches?
Lateral projection
Which maneuver should be used to help obtain maximum depression of the shoulders in the lateral projection of the cervical vertebral column?
Suspend respiration after full expiration
What should be done so that the magnified shoulder farthest from the IR is projected below the lower cervical vertebrae for the lateral projections of the cervical vertebrae?
direct a horizontal central ray to C4
What should be done to prevent mandibular rami from superimposing cervical vertebrae in the lateral projections of the cervical vertebrae column?
elevate the chin
What should be done to reduce the magnification caused by the increased object-to-image distance in the lateral projections of the cervical vertebrae?
Use a 72 inch
What is the recommended size of the collimated field for the lateral projection of the cervical vertebrae?
8 x 10 inches
Which projection of the cervical vertebrae demonstrates the spinous processes elevated and widely separated?
Hyperflexion lateral projection
Which projection of the cervical vertebrae demonstrates spinous processes depressed and in close approximation?
Hyperextension lateral projection
Which projection for cervical vertebrae must be exposed with a horizontal and perpendicular central ray?
Lateral
How should the central ray be directed for an AP axial oblique projection of the cervical vertebral column?
15 to 20 degrees cephalad
How should the central ray be directed for the PA axial oblique projection of the cervical vertebral column?
15 to 20 degrees caudad
Which projection of the cervical vertebral column best demonstrates the intervertebral foramina?
AP axial oblique projection
Which position of the cervical vertebral column best demonstrates the left intervertebral foramina when the central ray is angled 15 to 20 degrees cephalad?
RPO
Which position of the cervical vertebral column best demonstrates the right intervertebral foramina when the central ray is angled 15 to 20 degrees caudad?
RAO
How many degrees from the supine or the anatomic position should the entire body be rotated for the AP axial Oblique projection of the cervical vertebrae?
45 degrees
What is the proper amount of head and body rotation for the PA axial Oblique projection of the cervical vertebrae?
45 degrees
Which evaluation criterion pertains to the AP projections (Fuchs method) of the cervical vertebrae?
The entire dens should be seen through the foramen magnum
Which evaluation criterion pertains to the AP axial projection of the cervical vertebrae column?
The spinous processes should be equidistant to the pedicles
Which evaluation criterion pertains to the lateral projection of the cervical vertebrae column?
All seven cervical vertebrae should be demonstrated
Which evaluation criterion pertains to the AP axial Oblique projection of the cervical vertebrae column?
The intervertebral foramina should be open with foramina farthest from IR well demonstrated
Which evaluation criterion pertains to PA axial oblique projections of the cervical vertebrae column?
The intervertebral foramina should be open with foramina closest to the IR well demonstrated
Which projection should be included in a cervical series if the lateral projection does not demonstrate the C7 vertebra?
Lateral projection (swimmer’s technique)
For the lateral projection (swimmer’s technique) of the cervical vertebrae, how and where should the central ray be directed?
Perpendicular to the intervertebral disks space of C7 and T1
Which of the following structures are best demonstrated with the lateral projection (swimmer’s technique)?
Lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae
For the AP projections of the thoracic vertebral column, where should the central ray be centered on the anterior chest wall?
At a point halfway between the jugular notch and the xiphoid process
With reference to the patient, where should the top border of the IR or collimated field be position for the AP projections of the thoracic vertebrae?
1 1/2 to 2 inches above the top of the shoulders
For the AP projections of the thoracic vertebral column with the patient in the supine position, why should the patient’s hip and knees be flexed?
To reduce kyphosis
Which projection most requires usage if the anode heel effect to improve its image quality?
AP projection of the thoracic vertebral column
Which projection best demonstrates the intervertebral foramina of the thoracic vertebral column?
Lateral projection
What structures are not well visualized on a lateral projection of the thoracic vertebrae?
T1 to T3
To what level of the body should the central ray be directed for the lateral projection of the thoracic vertebrae?
Inferior angle of the scapula (T7)
What compensation should be made in the lateral projection of the thoracic vertebral column on a recumbent patient when the lower thoracic region is not parallel with the table?
Angle the central ray 10 to 15 degrees cephalad
Which of the following would improve visualization of the spinous processes and overall image quality on the lateral projection of the thoracic vertebrae?
Placing lead rubber on the table behind the patient
Which projection of the vertebral column best demonstrates kyphosis?
Lateral projection of the thoracic vertebral column
column which projection of the vertebral column best demonstrates scoliosis?
PA projections of the thoracolumbar vertebral column
Which projection of the vertebral column best demonstrates lordosis?
Lateral projection of the lumbar vertebral column
Why should the patient flex the hips and knees for the AP projection of the lumbar vertebrae?
To reduce lumbar lordosis
Where should the central ray be centered on the patient for the AP projections of the lumbosacral vertebrae?
On MSP at the level of the iliac crests
When it is recommended that the collimated field size for an AP projection of the lumbar vertebrae be open up to 14 x 17 inches?
For trauma patients for visualization of the liver, kidney, spleen, and posas muscle margins along with air or gas patterns
Which plane or line of the patient should be centered on midline of the table for the AP projections of the lumbar vertebral column?
misagittal
Where should the central ray be directed for the AP projections of only the lumbar vertebrae?
L4
Which plane or line of the patient should be centered on the midline of the table for the lateral projection of the lumbar vertebral column?
Midcoronal
Which projection of the lumbar vertebrae best demonstrates intervertebral foramina?
Lateral projection
How many degrees and in which direction should the central ray be directed for the lateral projection of the lumbar vertebrae when the vertebral column is positioned parallel with the table?
Perpendicular
How many degrees and in which direction should the central ray be directed for the lateral projection of L5-S1 when the vertebral column is positioned parakllel with the table?
Perpendicular
How many degrees and in which direction should the central ray be directed for the lateral projection of the lumbar vertebrae when the vertebral column is not parallel with the table?
5 degrees caudad for males, 8 degrees caudad for females
Which projection of the lumbar vertebrae best demonstrates the zygapophyseal joints?
AP oblique projection
Which vertebral structures are best demonstrated with the AP oblique projection of the lumbar vertebral column with the patient positioned in a 45 degree RPO?
Zygapophyseal joints of the right side
which vertebral structures are best demonstrated if a supine patient is rotated 45 degrees with the right side elevated and a perpendicular central ray is directed at the third lumbar vertebra?
Zygapophyseal joints on the left side
Which vertebral structures are best demonstrated with the AP oblique projection of the lumbar vertebral column with the patient positioned I a 45 degrees LPO?
Zygapophyseal joints of the left side
Which positioning error most likely occured if thezygapophyseal joints were not well demonstrated and the pedicle was quite anterior on the vertebral body in an image of an AP oblique projection of the lumbar vertebrae?
The patient was not rotated enough
Which positioning error most likely occured if the zygapophyseal joints were not well demonstrated and the pedicle was quite posterior on the vertebral body in an image of an AP oblique projection of the lumbar vertebrae?
The patient was rotated too much
which projection of the vertebral column demonstrates “Scotie dog”?
Oblique projection of the lumbar vertebral column
What is demonstrated if the “Scotie dog” is well visualized?
Zygapophyseal joints of the lumbar vertebrae
How many degrees of body rotation are necessary for the AP oblique projection of the lumbar vertebrae?
45 degrees
Which projection of the lumbar vertebrae requires MSP positioned perpendicular to the IR?
AP projection
Which projection of the lumbar vertebrae requires MSP be positioned parallel with IR
Lateral projection
How many degrees and in which direction should they central ray be directed for an AP axial projection of the lumbosacral junction and SI joints?
30 to 35 degrees cephalad
Which projection best demonstrates the right SI joint?
AP oblique projection with the patient in the LPO position
Which projection best demonstrates the left SI joint?
AP oblique projection with the patient in the RPO position
How many degrees of body rotation from the supine position are required for an AP oblique projection of the SI joints?
25 to 30 degrees
How many degrees and in which direction should the central ray be directed for AP axial projections of the sacrum?
15 degrees cephalad
How many degrees and in which direction should the central ray be directed if it is necessary to have the patient prone for a PA axial projection of the sacrum?
15 degrees caudad
How many degrees and in which direction should the central ray be directed for an AP axial projection of the coccyx?
10 degrees caudad
How many degrees and in which direction should the central ray be directed if it is necessary to have the patient prone for a PA axial projection of the coccyx?
10 degrees cephalad
How many degrees and in which direction should the central ray be directed for the lateral projection of the sacrum?
Perpendicular
How many degrees and in which direction should the central ray be directed for the lateral projection of the coccyx?
Perpendicular
Which projection of the Ferguson method should be performed to evaluate scoliosis best?
Upright PA
