LUMBAR SPINE, SACRUM, COCCYX AND
SI JOINT POSITIONING TEST
What anatomy of the following is best demonstrated on the oblique of the lumbar
spine?
a. zygapophyseal joints
b. intervertebral joints
c. spinous processes
d. intervertebral foramina - CORRECT ANSWER-a. zygophyseal joints
The right sacroiliac joint would be best demonstrated on a/an:
a. 25-30 degree RPO
b. 30-45 degree RAO
c. 25-30 degree LPO
d. 30-45 degree LAO - CORRECT ANSWER-c. 25-30 degree LPO
The pars interarticularis is represented by what part of the "scotty dog" seen in a
correctly positioned oblique lumbar spine?
a. front foot
b. body
c. neck
d. eye - CORRECT ANSWER-c. neck
Which of the following will help reduce the lordotic curvature of the lumbar spine
for the AP projection?
a. Flex the hips and knees
b. Extend legs
c. Cross legs
d. Nothing will help reduce the lordotic curvature - CORRECT ANSWER-a. Flex
the hips and knees
, Where is the CR directed for an AP lumbosacral spine? (using a 14x17)?
a. L-3
b. ASIS
c. Iliac crest
d. L-2 - CORRECT ANSWER-c. Iliac crest
If the lumbar spine cannot be adjusted so it is horizontal for the lateral projection,
the central ray should be angled:
a. 5 degrees men, 8 degrees women - cephalic
b. 8 degrees men, 12 degrees women - caudal
c. 5 degrees men, 8 degrees women - caudal
d. 8 degrees men, 12 degrees women - cephalic - CORRECT ANSWER-c. 5
degrees men, 8 degrees women - caudal
Which of the following will help prevent the AEC detector from prematurely
terminating the exposure during a lateral lumbar spine?
a. collimating off the spinous process
b. using a 24x30 cassette
c. placing a sheet of lead rubber on the table behind the patient
d. using a 30x35 cm cassette - CORRECT ANSWER-c. placing a sheet of lead
rubber on the table behind the patient
Which of the following describes the central ray centering point for the L5-S1
lateral projection?
a. 3 inches posterior to the ASIS
b. 2 inches posterior to the ASIS and 3 inches below the iliac crest
c. 2 inches posterior to the ASIS
d. 2 inches posterior to the ASIS and 1 ½ inches inferior to the iliac crest -
CORRECT ANSWER-d. 2 inches posterior to the ASIS and 1 ½ inches inferior to
the iliac crest
To demonstrate the zygapophyseal joints of the lumbar spine, the patient is
obliqued: (average degree)
SI JOINT POSITIONING TEST
What anatomy of the following is best demonstrated on the oblique of the lumbar
spine?
a. zygapophyseal joints
b. intervertebral joints
c. spinous processes
d. intervertebral foramina - CORRECT ANSWER-a. zygophyseal joints
The right sacroiliac joint would be best demonstrated on a/an:
a. 25-30 degree RPO
b. 30-45 degree RAO
c. 25-30 degree LPO
d. 30-45 degree LAO - CORRECT ANSWER-c. 25-30 degree LPO
The pars interarticularis is represented by what part of the "scotty dog" seen in a
correctly positioned oblique lumbar spine?
a. front foot
b. body
c. neck
d. eye - CORRECT ANSWER-c. neck
Which of the following will help reduce the lordotic curvature of the lumbar spine
for the AP projection?
a. Flex the hips and knees
b. Extend legs
c. Cross legs
d. Nothing will help reduce the lordotic curvature - CORRECT ANSWER-a. Flex
the hips and knees
, Where is the CR directed for an AP lumbosacral spine? (using a 14x17)?
a. L-3
b. ASIS
c. Iliac crest
d. L-2 - CORRECT ANSWER-c. Iliac crest
If the lumbar spine cannot be adjusted so it is horizontal for the lateral projection,
the central ray should be angled:
a. 5 degrees men, 8 degrees women - cephalic
b. 8 degrees men, 12 degrees women - caudal
c. 5 degrees men, 8 degrees women - caudal
d. 8 degrees men, 12 degrees women - cephalic - CORRECT ANSWER-c. 5
degrees men, 8 degrees women - caudal
Which of the following will help prevent the AEC detector from prematurely
terminating the exposure during a lateral lumbar spine?
a. collimating off the spinous process
b. using a 24x30 cassette
c. placing a sheet of lead rubber on the table behind the patient
d. using a 30x35 cm cassette - CORRECT ANSWER-c. placing a sheet of lead
rubber on the table behind the patient
Which of the following describes the central ray centering point for the L5-S1
lateral projection?
a. 3 inches posterior to the ASIS
b. 2 inches posterior to the ASIS and 3 inches below the iliac crest
c. 2 inches posterior to the ASIS
d. 2 inches posterior to the ASIS and 1 ½ inches inferior to the iliac crest -
CORRECT ANSWER-d. 2 inches posterior to the ASIS and 1 ½ inches inferior to
the iliac crest
To demonstrate the zygapophyseal joints of the lumbar spine, the patient is
obliqued: (average degree)
