1. Introduction to Radiographic Positioning (Positioning Terminology )
IMG353
Lecture 1
Introduction to Radiographic Positioning (Positioning Terminology )

2. Learning Objectives
By the end of this Lecture the student will be able to:
Define the imaginary planes and body sections
Describe standard positioning terms.
List and identify the meaning of specific terms related to movement
Distinguish Between radiographic projection, position and view
List the four types of body habitus

3. References Websites Positioning in Radiography: By k.C.Clarke.
Text book of radiographic positioning and related anatomy; by Kenneth L.Bontrager,
5th edition
Websites

4. Positioning Terminology
Anatomic Position
A person in the anatomical position is
standing erect with the head,
eyes and toes pointing forward,
feet together with arms by the side.
The palms of the hands are also point forward.

5. Positioning Terminology
Body Planes
A plane is a flat surface passed through the body or a portion of the body
Body planes are divided into:-
Longitudinal planes
Coronal
Sagittal
Horizontal plane
Transverse

6. Body Planes
Sagittal Plane (Lateral Plane) A vertical plane running from front to back; divides the body or any of its parts into right and left sides.
Median plane Sagittal plane through the midline of the body; divides the body or any of its parts into right and left halves.

7. Body Planes Coronal or (Frontal)
A vertical plane running from side to side; divides the body or any of its parts into anterior and posterior portions.
Axial Plane (Transverse Plane) A horizontal plane; divides the body or any of its parts into upper and lower parts.

8. Directional Terms
Lateral Vs. Medial
Lateral
Away from the midline of the body (On the outer side of) e.g. the arms are lateral to the chest.
Medial
Lateral
Lateral
Medial
Near to the midline of the body
(On the Inner side of) e.g. the chest is medial to the arms

9. Directional Terms Superior Vs. Inferior Superior ( cephalic/ cranial)
Towards the head end or towards the upper part of a structure( above)
e.g. The head is superior to the chest.
Inferior (Caudal)
Away from the head end or towards the lower part of a structure( Below) e.g. the abdomen is inferior to the chest.
Inferior

10. Directional Terms Anterior Vs. Posterior Anterior ( ventral )
Towards or at front of the body ( in front of)
e.g. The sternum is anterior to the spine.
Posterior (Dorsal )
Towards or at the back of the body ( Behind)
e.g. The heart is posterior to the sternum.

11. Directional Terms Proximal Vs. Distal Proximal
Close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk
e.g. The knee is proximal to the ankle.
Distal
Farther or away from the origin of the body part or the attachment of a limb to the trunk
e.g. The forearm is distal to the arm.

12. Directional Terms Superficial Vs. Deep Superficial
Towards or at the body surface
e.g. The skin is superficial to the skeletal muscles
Deep
Away from the body surface ( more internal)
e.g. The skeletal muscles are deep to the skin

13. Directional Terms anterior posterior lateral cephalic superior cranial
proximal
inferior
caudal
medial
distal

14. Joints movement Terms Abduction vs. Adduction Abduction :
movement away from the midline of the body or body part.
Adduction:
Movement toward the midline of the body or body part.

15. Joints movement Terms Flexion vs. Extension Flexion :
Decrease in the angle of a joint by bending
Extension:
Increase in the angle of joint or straightening of a joint
Note : Hyper flexion is over flexion while hyper extension is extension beyond normal limits

16. Joints movement Terms Inversion vs. Eversion Inversion :
Turning of foot inward at the ankle joint.
Eversion:
Turning of the foot outward at the ankle joint.

17. Joints movement Terms Pronation vs. Supination
Turning the hand so that the palm is down or onto one's stomach
Supination:
Turning the hand so the palm is facing upward or turning onto one's back.

18. Body Position Terms Recumbent "lying down" Erect "upright"
Describe the overall placement of the body in the desired
position.
Erect "upright"
Position when the Sagittal and coronal planes of the body are perpendicular to the horizon
Recumbent "lying down"
Position when the transverse plane of the body
is perpendicular to the horizon

19. Body Position Terms Recumbent Positions Supine Prone
(posterior recumbent position)
Lying down on the back
Prone
(anterior recumbent position)
Lying face down
xx lateral recumbent
lying down on the xx side

20. Body Position Terms Decubitus vs. Recumbent
general meanings are the same "LYING DOWN"
but in radiography, decubitus has a special meaning
DECUBITUS
patient is lying down & the x-ray beam is parallel to the horizon

21. Body Position Terms Decubitus Positions Ventral decubitus
patient is prone ,Cassette (IR) is vertical & a horizontal beam is used
Dorsal decubitus
patient is supine ,Cassette (IR) is vertical & a horizontal beam is used
Lateral decubitus ( Right or Left)
patient lying on the left lateral side ,Cassette (IR) is vertical & a horizontal beam is used

22. Oblique (Erect or Recumbent)
Body Position Terms
Oblique (Erect or Recumbent)
Position when the body is rotated so that the MS plane is neither nor to the film but at an angle
Exact position is indicated by the surface closest to the film and the angle of rotation
May be erect or recumbent
abbreviations:
RPO, LPO, RAO, LAO ^ ¤¤
45° RPO

23. Body Position Terms Erect Positions
Surface of body closest to the film used to give a more specific description
Examples:
Posterior erect -- patient is standing with the posterior surface of the body next to the cassette
Left lateral erect -- patient is standing with the left side of the body next to the cassette
Left lateral
erect position
Unit III

24. Body Position Terms Fowler's Position Trendelenburg Position
A person in the Fowler's position is sitting leaning slightly back 45o - 90o.legs may either be straight or bent.
Trendelenburg Position
A person in the Trendelenburg position is lying supine with head slightly lower than their feet.
Unit III

25. Body Position Terms Sim's Position
A near lateral Left anterior oblique ( Left Sim's ) OR right anterior oblique with the top leg in front the lower leg.

26. Positioning Terms Projection Anteroposterior projection (AP)
Refers to the path the x-ray beam takes through part
Anteroposterior projection (AP)
Beam enters the front surface and exits the back surface of the part
Posteroanterior projection (PA)
Beam enters the back and exits the front of the part
AP projection in supine position

27. Left lateral erect position R to L lateral projection
Positioning Terms
Lateral Projections
Torso (Trunk) and head
Right to left lateral projection
Left to right lateral projection
Extremities (Limbs)
Mediolateral projection
Lateromedial projection
Note:
Normally the positioning terminology is used rather than projection.
X-ray
Left lateral erect position
R to L lateral projection

28. Right to left lateral projection Left to right lateral projection
Positioning Terms
Special Projections
X-ray beam
Axial Projection
Right to left lateral projection
Left to right lateral projection
Tangential projection
Mediolateral projection
Lateromedial projection
Note:
Normally the positioning terminology is used rather than projection.
AP axial with 40° caudal angle
X-ray beam
X-ray beam

29. Classification of Body Habitus
Hypersthenic
Deep broad thorax
Short thoracic cavity
Short wide heart
Elevated diaphragm
Stomach and GB very high
Colon high and wide
Unit III

30. Classification of Body Habitus
Sthenic
Lightly longer and shallow thorax
Ribs more vertical
Heart narrow and longer
Thoracic cavity longer
Diaphragm is not as high
Colon slightly lower and more centrally located.
Unit III

31. Classification of Body Habitus
Hyposthenic
Thorax longer
Diaphragm lower
Stomach and GB lower and close to midline.
Colon lower and close to midline of abdomen
Unit III

32. Classification of Body Habitus
Asthenic
Exaggeration of Hyposthenic type
Thorax narrow and shallow
Heart longer and narrow
Thoracic cavity longer
Diaphragm is very low
Stomach and GB very lower ,vertical and near midline.
Unit III

33. Classification of Body Habitus
Hypersthenic 5%
Sthenic 10%
Sthenic 50%
Hyposthenic 35%
Unit III

34. Unit III