Normal X-Ray Anatomy

Axial and AppendicularSkeleton

William Ursprung, DC

Lesson Objectives

Identify anatomical structures on plain film radiographs

Identify the views commonly used to radiograph the skeletal system

Utilize a basic search pattern to screen plain film radiographs for pathology

Basic Rules for Interpretation

Plain films are a 2 dimensional gray scale image of a 3 dimensional anatomical structure

Four basic densities Metal = very bright (white) Bone = bright (white) Water/soft tissue = (various shades of gray) Air = dark (black)

Basic Rules for Interpretation

Rule of thumb for radiographs: min. of 2 views that are offset by 90° for any body part

ABOLTS search pattern A = anatomy B = breaks or step defects in the cortex O = opacities (ie blastic lesion, impacted fx) L = lucencies (ie lytic lesion, displaced fx) T= trabecular architecture S = soft tissues (swelling, mass, fascial planes)

Cervical Spine

Anterior Posterior Open Mouth

Anterior Posterior Lower Cervical

Lateral Cervical

Cervical Oblique

Thoracic Spine

Posterior Anterior Chest

Anterior Posterior Thoracic Spine

Lateral Thoracic Spine

Lumbar Spine

AP Lumbar

Lateral Lumbar

Pelvis and Hips

AP Pelvis

AP Pelvis

Shoulder

Normal Shoulder

Normal Shoulder

Elbow and Forearm

Normal Elbow

Normal Elbow

Forearm

Wrist and Hand

Normal Wrist

Normal Wrist

Normal Hand

Normal Hand

Knee

Normal Knee

Ankle and Foot

Normal Ankle

Normal Ankle

Normal Ankle

Boehler’s Angle

Normal Foot

Normal Foot