ARRT practice exam - spine
Breathing technique is used to advantage when taking a lateral projection of the -
ANS-thoracic spine
\How many vertebrae are located in the cervical region of the spine? - ANS-7
\How many vertebrae make up the thoracic spine? - ANS-12
\The patient is positioned with the coronal plane of the body perpendicular to the IR, and the
arm closest to the IR raised over the head. The central ray is perpendicular and centered to
the level of the C7 to T1 interspace. What projection and anatomy will be demonstrated in
the image - ANS-A lateral projection of the cervicothoracic region
\What anatomic structures are best demonstrated by the PA oblique projections of the
cervical spine? - ANS-Intevertebral foramina closer to the IR
\What anatomic structures of the cervical spine are best demonstrated by the lateral
projection? - ANS-Zygapophyseal joints
\What device may be used to improve visualization of the spinous processes of the thoracic
spine on the lateral projection? - ANS-A piece of lead placed behind the shadow of the
patient's back
\What is the central ray angle and direction for the AP axial projection of the sacrum? -
ANS-15 degrees cephalad
\What is the number of vertebrae in the normal lumbar spine? - ANS-5
\What is the odontoid process and where is it located? - ANS-A toothlike projection on the
superior surface of C2
\What is the proper central ray angle and direction for the AP oblique projections of the
cervical spine? - ANS-15 degrees cephalad
\What is the proper patient position for an AP oblique projection of the cervical spine? -
ANS-a 45-degree posterior oblique position
\What is the rationale for using a 72-inch SID for the lateral projection of the cervical spine? -
ANS-This SID helps to overcome the magnification caused by the increased OID of the
position
\What portion of the spine is commonly called the tailbone? - ANS-Coccyx
\What positioning maneuver is used to improve patient comfort and reduce the lordotic curve
of the lumbar spine when positioning a recumbent patient for an AP projection of the lumbar
spine? - ANS-Flexing the knees and using a support under them
\What specific anatomy is best demonstrated on the AP oblique projection of the lumbar
spine if the patient is positioned in a 45-degree RPO position? - ANS-Right zygapophyseal
joints
\When taking an AP axial projection of the cervical spine, the central ray is directed: -
ANS-15 degrees cephalad
\When using a 10" x 12" IR where should the central ray enter the patient for an AP
projection of the lumbar spine - ANS-At 1.5 inches superior to the iliac crest in the midline of
the patient
\When using a 14" x 17" IR, where should the central ray enter the patient for an AP
projection of the lumbar spine - ANS-At the level of the iliac crest in the midline of the patient
\Which of the following body positions will demonstrate the left zygapophyseal joints of the
lumbar spine - ANS-45 degrees left posterior oblique (LPO)
Breathing technique is used to advantage when taking a lateral projection of the -
ANS-thoracic spine
\How many vertebrae are located in the cervical region of the spine? - ANS-7
\How many vertebrae make up the thoracic spine? - ANS-12
\The patient is positioned with the coronal plane of the body perpendicular to the IR, and the
arm closest to the IR raised over the head. The central ray is perpendicular and centered to
the level of the C7 to T1 interspace. What projection and anatomy will be demonstrated in
the image - ANS-A lateral projection of the cervicothoracic region
\What anatomic structures are best demonstrated by the PA oblique projections of the
cervical spine? - ANS-Intevertebral foramina closer to the IR
\What anatomic structures of the cervical spine are best demonstrated by the lateral
projection? - ANS-Zygapophyseal joints
\What device may be used to improve visualization of the spinous processes of the thoracic
spine on the lateral projection? - ANS-A piece of lead placed behind the shadow of the
patient's back
\What is the central ray angle and direction for the AP axial projection of the sacrum? -
ANS-15 degrees cephalad
\What is the number of vertebrae in the normal lumbar spine? - ANS-5
\What is the odontoid process and where is it located? - ANS-A toothlike projection on the
superior surface of C2
\What is the proper central ray angle and direction for the AP oblique projections of the
cervical spine? - ANS-15 degrees cephalad
\What is the proper patient position for an AP oblique projection of the cervical spine? -
ANS-a 45-degree posterior oblique position
\What is the rationale for using a 72-inch SID for the lateral projection of the cervical spine? -
ANS-This SID helps to overcome the magnification caused by the increased OID of the
position
\What portion of the spine is commonly called the tailbone? - ANS-Coccyx
\What positioning maneuver is used to improve patient comfort and reduce the lordotic curve
of the lumbar spine when positioning a recumbent patient for an AP projection of the lumbar
spine? - ANS-Flexing the knees and using a support under them
\What specific anatomy is best demonstrated on the AP oblique projection of the lumbar
spine if the patient is positioned in a 45-degree RPO position? - ANS-Right zygapophyseal
joints
\When taking an AP axial projection of the cervical spine, the central ray is directed: -
ANS-15 degrees cephalad
\When using a 10" x 12" IR where should the central ray enter the patient for an AP
projection of the lumbar spine - ANS-At 1.5 inches superior to the iliac crest in the midline of
the patient
\When using a 14" x 17" IR, where should the central ray enter the patient for an AP
projection of the lumbar spine - ANS-At the level of the iliac crest in the midline of the patient
\Which of the following body positions will demonstrate the left zygapophyseal joints of the
lumbar spine - ANS-45 degrees left posterior oblique (LPO)
