Projectional Radiography - Projectional Radiography Terminology

Projectional Radiography Terminology

NOTE: The word 'view' is often used erroneously to describe a radiographic projection.

• AP - Antero-Posterior
• PA - Postero-Anterior
• Lateral - Projection taken with the central ray perpendicular to the midsagittal plane
• Oblique - Projection taken with the central ray at an angle to any of the body planes. Described by the angle of obliquity and the portion of the body the X-ray beam exits; right or left and posterior or anterior. For example a 45 degree Right Anterior Oblique of the Cevical Spine.
• Flexion - Joint is radiographed while in flexion
• Extension - Joint is radiographed while in extension
• Stress Views - Typically taken of joints held in a 'stressed' position. Test of stability.
• HBL, HRL, HCR or CTL - Horizontal Beam Lateral, Horizontal Ray Lateral, Horizontal Central Ray, or Cross Table Lateral. Used to obtain a lateral projection usually when patients are unable to move.
• Prone - Patient lies on their front, also known as "planking"
• Supine - Patient lies on the back
• Decubitus - Patient laying down. Further described by the downside body surface: dorsal (backside down), ventral (frontside down), or lateral (left or right side down).
• OM - occipito-mental, an imaginary positioning line extending from the menti (chin) to the occiput (particularly the external occiputal protuberance)
• Cranial or Cephalad - Tube angulation towards the head
• Caudal - Tube angulation towards the feet