Radiographic positions

PA Fingers
PA Oblique
(Medial or Lateral Rotation)
Lateral (Lateromedial or Mediolateral)

CR is perpendicular to IR, directed to the PIP Joint
IR-8x10 portrait
SID- 40"
PA postion: Pronate hand with fingers extended
Oblique: With fingers extended against 45� foam wedge block, place hand in a 45� lateral oblique digits 3-5
medial oblique on dig

AP Thumb
PA Oblique Medial Rotation: Thumb
Lateral

CR is perpendicular to IR, directed to the MCP joint
IR-8x10 portrait
SID- 40"
AP: Internally rotate hand IR. Immobilize other fingers with tape to isolate thumb if necessary
-align thumb with long axis of the IR
Oblique: Abduct thumb slightly with the pa

PA projection: Hand
PA Oblique
"Fan" Lateral Hand

CR is perpendicular to IR,
Centered at the third MCP joint
IR-8x10 Portrait
SID- 40"
PA: Pronate hand with palmar surface in contact with IR; spread fingers slightly
Oblique: Pronate hand on IR
-Rotate entire Hand and wrist laterally 45� and support radio

PA wrist
PA oblique wrist
Lateral wrist

CR perpendicular to IR, directed to midcarpal area
IR-8x10 portrait
SID-40
PA wrist: with hand pronated, arch hand slightly to place wrist and carpal area in close contact IR
Oblique: From pronated position, rotate wrist and hand laterally 45 degrees
Late

AP Forearm
Lateral

-CR is perpendicular to the IR directed to mid-forearm
IR- 11x14 Portrait
SID- 40
AP: Drop shoulder to place entire upper limb on same horizontal plane
-Align and center forearm to long axis of IR, ensuring that both wrist and elbow joints are included
-P

AP Elbow
AP oblique (external rotation)
AP oblique (internal rotation)
lateral

CR perpendicular to IR, directed to mid-elbow joint
IR- 10x12 Portrait
SID- 40
AP: Extend elbow, supinate hand, and align arm and forearm, long axis of the IR
- Center elbow joint to center of IR
External rotation: Supinate hand and rotate laterally the e

AP Humerus
lateral

CR perpendicular to IR, directed to midpoint of humerus
IR-14x17 Portrait
SID-40
AP: Extend hand and forearm as far as patient can tolerate
-Abduct arm slightly and gently supinated hand so epicondyles of elbow are II an equidistant from IR
Lateral: Inter

AP shoulder
External rotation
Internal rotation

CR perpendicular to IR, directed to 1 inch (2.5 cm) inferior to coracoid process
IR-14x17
SID- 40
External rotation: -Position patient to center scapulohumeral joint to center of IR. Abduct extended arm slightly; externally rotate arm until epicondyles of

Transaxiallary
Axillary shoulder
Grashey

IR- 8x10 Portrait
SID-40
Transaxiallary:
-CR is directed perpendicular to the axilla and the humeral head to pass through the scapulohumeral joint.
- The non heart arm is raised superiorly as much as the patient can tolerate
- The head is turned away from

AP Clavicle
AP Axial Clavicle

IR- 10x12
SID- 40
AP: CR perpendicular to mid-clavicle
AP Axial:
-CR 15? to 30? cephalad to mid-clavicle
Position for both:
-Center clavicle and IR to CR (Clavicle can be readily palpated medial aspect at jugular notch and lateral portion at AC joint abov

`AC joints
with and without weights

-CR to midpoint between AC joints, 1inch (2.5cm) above jugular notch
-Unilateral study: CR center 1 inch (2.5cm) below affected AC joint
IR- 14x17 landscape
SID 72
-Position patient to direct CR to midway between AC joints.
-Center midline of IR to CR (to

AP Scapula
Scapular Y (lateral)

IR-10x12 portrait
SID-40
AP: CR perpendicular to mid-scapula, 2 inches (5cm) inferior to coracoid process
-Adjust IR to center to CR. Top of IR should be approximately 2 inches (5cm) above shoulder, and lateral border of IR should be approximately 2 inche

RAO Sternum
Lateral Sternum

IR-10x12
SID-40
RAO: CR directed to center of sternum (1" to the left of midline and midway between the jugular notch and xiphoid process
-Position patient oblique, 15-20 degree toward the right side
-15 degree= large, deep chested thorax
-20 degree= thin

PA sternoclavicular joints
AP oblique RAO/ LAO

IR- 8x10
SID- 40
PA: CR is perpendicular, centered to level of T2-T3 or 3 inches (7cm) distal to vertebra prominence (spinous process of C7)
-Align midsagittal plane to CR and to midline of grid or table/ upright bucky
-Center IR to CR (3 inches [7cm] dis

PA/ AP Ribs (upper)
PA/AP ribs (lower)
RAO/LPO
LAP/RPO

IR- 14x17
SID-72/40
PA/AP (upper):
CR perpendicular to IR, centered to 3-4 inches below jugular notch (level of T7)
-EXPOSE on Inspiration
PA/AP lower: CR perpendicular to IR, centered midway between the intercostal margin and the xyphoid process