PLAIN X-RAY FILM OF UPPER LIMB
I. MAJOR FEATURES OF THE RADIOGRAPH OF THE
SHOULDER
AP radiograph of the shoulder (figure 1-1 (a)
Shows all or parts of the following:
1.Most proximal bones of upper limb:
a. Clavicle
b. Scapula:The coracoid process,acromion process,and glenoid fossa.
c. Humerus:The head, anatomic neck,and surgical neck.
i) Greater tuberosity in profile if the humerus is externally rotated to the
extent that the line between the epicondyles of humerus lies in a coronal
plane.
ii)Lesser tuberosity in profile if the humerus is internally rotated to the
extent that the line between epicondyles of humerus lies in a parasagittal
plane.
2. Most proximal joints of upper limb.
a. Sternoclavicular joint
b.Acromioclavicular joint
c. Shoulder joint.
3. Coracoclavicular space: radiolucent space between the coracoid
process and the clavicle. This space marks the location of coracoclavicular
ligament.
4. Acromioclavicular space: a radiolucent space between the acromion
process and the lateral end of clavicle. The space represents the apposed
articular cartilages in the acromioclavicular joint.
5. The head of the humerus is superimposed over an obliquely oriented
glenoid fossa. It approximates an ellipse in shape.
1
, Fig- I-1(a) AP radiograph of the shoulder
To identify
1. Clavicle
2. Coracoid process
3. Acromio-clavicular space of acromioclavicular joint.
4. Acromion process
5. Anatomic neck
6. Greater Tuberosity
7. Head of humerus
8. Surgical neck of humerus
9. Coracoclavicular space
10.Glenoid fossa
2
, Fig- I-1(b) Schematic representation of AP radiograph of shoulder
I.MAJOR FEATURES OF RADIOGRAPHS OF ELBOW.
1. Lateral radiograph of elbow: (Figure-I-2(a)
Shows placement of bones and fat pads in the elbow region when
forearm is flexed 90º at the elbow joint and placed in the midprone
position.
i. Trochlea: highly radiopaque circular profile at the distal end of the
humerus.
ii.Capitulum: round anterior border is visible anterior to the trochlear
profile.
iii. Ulna: wrench-shaped proximal end, with its olecranon process,
trochlear notch and coronoid process, encircles the lower outline of the
trochlea.
iv. Radial tuberosity, neck of the radius:an unobstructed view, the head
of the radius partially overlapped by the coronoid process of ulna.
v. Anterior and posterior fat pads of the elbow region: The coronoid
fossa and olecranon fossa of the humerus each bear a fat pad respectively.
3
I. MAJOR FEATURES OF THE RADIOGRAPH OF THE
SHOULDER
AP radiograph of the shoulder (figure 1-1 (a)
Shows all or parts of the following:
1.Most proximal bones of upper limb:
a. Clavicle
b. Scapula:The coracoid process,acromion process,and glenoid fossa.
c. Humerus:The head, anatomic neck,and surgical neck.
i) Greater tuberosity in profile if the humerus is externally rotated to the
extent that the line between the epicondyles of humerus lies in a coronal
plane.
ii)Lesser tuberosity in profile if the humerus is internally rotated to the
extent that the line between epicondyles of humerus lies in a parasagittal
plane.
2. Most proximal joints of upper limb.
a. Sternoclavicular joint
b.Acromioclavicular joint
c. Shoulder joint.
3. Coracoclavicular space: radiolucent space between the coracoid
process and the clavicle. This space marks the location of coracoclavicular
ligament.
4. Acromioclavicular space: a radiolucent space between the acromion
process and the lateral end of clavicle. The space represents the apposed
articular cartilages in the acromioclavicular joint.
5. The head of the humerus is superimposed over an obliquely oriented
glenoid fossa. It approximates an ellipse in shape.
1
, Fig- I-1(a) AP radiograph of the shoulder
To identify
1. Clavicle
2. Coracoid process
3. Acromio-clavicular space of acromioclavicular joint.
4. Acromion process
5. Anatomic neck
6. Greater Tuberosity
7. Head of humerus
8. Surgical neck of humerus
9. Coracoclavicular space
10.Glenoid fossa
2
, Fig- I-1(b) Schematic representation of AP radiograph of shoulder
I.MAJOR FEATURES OF RADIOGRAPHS OF ELBOW.
1. Lateral radiograph of elbow: (Figure-I-2(a)
Shows placement of bones and fat pads in the elbow region when
forearm is flexed 90º at the elbow joint and placed in the midprone
position.
i. Trochlea: highly radiopaque circular profile at the distal end of the
humerus.
ii.Capitulum: round anterior border is visible anterior to the trochlear
profile.
iii. Ulna: wrench-shaped proximal end, with its olecranon process,
trochlear notch and coronoid process, encircles the lower outline of the
trochlea.
iv. Radial tuberosity, neck of the radius:an unobstructed view, the head
of the radius partially overlapped by the coronoid process of ulna.
v. Anterior and posterior fat pads of the elbow region: The coronoid
fossa and olecranon fossa of the humerus each bear a fat pad respectively.
3
