Introduction to Radiography Terms and Definitions

Anatomic Terminology Anatomic position Erect, face forward, feet together, arms at sides with palms forward Unit III

Anatomic Terminology Plane - Flat surface passed through the body or a portion of the body Longitudinal planes Coronal Sagittal Horizontal plane Transverse transverse mid-sagittal coronal Unit III

Directional Terms anterior posterior lateral cephalad cephalic superior cranial posterior anterior lateral proximal inferior caudal caudad medial distal Unit III

Joint Movement Terms ABDUCT vs. ADDUCT Unit III

Joint Movement Terms FLEXION vs. EXTENSION hyperextend flexion flexion dorsiflexion plantar flexion neutral Unit III

Joint Movement Terms INVERSION vs. EVERSION turn inward or medially turn outward or laterally Unit III

PRONATION vs. SUPINATION Joint Movement Terms PRONATION vs. SUPINATION place on front place on back Unit III

ROTATION vs. CIRCUMDUCTION Joint Movement Terms ROTATION vs. CIRCUMDUCTION pivot circle Unit III

Body Position Terms Describe the overall placement of the body 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 Unit III

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 Unit III

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

Recumbent Positions Supine Prone xx lateral recumbent (posterior recumbent position) Lying down on the back Prone (anterior recumbent position) Lying face down xx lateral recumbent lying down on the xx side Unit III

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 Unit III

Decubitus Positions Ventral decubitus Dorsal decubitus patient is prone & a horizontal beam is used Dorsal decubitus patient is supine & a horizontal beam is used Left lateral decubitus patient lying on the left lateral side & a horizontal beam is used Unit III

PROJECTION Refers to the path the 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 PA projection in prone position Unit III

L lateral erect position R to L lateral projection Lateral Projections Normally the positioning terminology is used rather than projection torso and head Right to left lateral projection Left to right lateral projection extremities Mediolateral projection Lateromedial projection L lateral erect position R to L lateral projection Unit III

Oblique Projections Normally the positioning terminology is used example RPO position = right anterior to right posterior projection (oblique AP) Unit III

Radiographpy vs Nuclear Medicine Radiography – source of radiation is external. Gamma rays pass through body and form radiograph Nuclear Medicine – source of radiation is radiopharmaceutical taken internally. X-rays pass out of body and form scan image. Unit III

Ionization Ability of x-rays to change substances thru which they pass Used to make radiographs and treat cancer May cause cell damage and even death Unit III

Nuclear Scan Can give picture of both structure and function Use radiopharma-ceutical to produce image Unit III

Common Scans Bone – fractures, tumors, inflammation, bone growth Brain – tumors, blood flow Liver – cirrhosis, hepatitis, tumors, cysts, abscesses Lung – blood clots, tumors Thyroid – function, tumors Unit III

Radioimmunoassay Mix blood with radioactive substance to determine specific blood protein concentrations Find antibodies and antigens (titers) Unit III

Radiation Therapy Treatment of CA with external radiation Stereotactic – focusing multiple beams at the same spot Unit III

Teletherapy vs Bradytherapy Teletherapy – radiation source is external Bradytherapy – radiation source is internal Unit III

Tomography Imaging method that produces tomes (cross sections) of body along any plane Unit III

CAT vs PET CAT – 2D tomes are reconstructed to show 3D images of structure PET – radiopharmecuticals are used to give 2D and 3D images of function Unit III

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Media – radio waves and a strong magnetic field Gives good image of soft tissues Cannot use if metal is implanted in body Unit III

Sonogram Media – sound waves Gives image of deep structures Only imaging procedure safe for fetus Unit III

Thermogram Media – infrared camera captures surface body heat Newer forms relate metabolic activity (function) to heat give off Unit III

Contract Medium Radio-opaque substance used to make hard-to-see structure show up on image Used in CAT scans and fluoroscopy Unit III

Radio-opaque vs Radiolucent Block x-rays Shows up as light color Radiolucent – Passes x-rays thru’ Shows up as dark color Unit III

Fluoroscopy Visualization of moving structures Used with radio-opaque substances Unit III