1|Page
DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY AND PACS 2025/2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS LATEST TEST
BANK RANKED A+
When vertebra are stacked, the superior and inferior vertebral notches line up. These two half-moon shaped
areas form a single opening called the ______________ through which important spinal nerves and blood
vessels pass.
intervertebral foramen
Condition characterized by an abnormal convex curvature of the thoracic spine
kyphosis
Formed by the articulation of the superior articular process of one vertebrae with the inferior articular process of
another vertebra
zygapophyseal joint
zygapophyseal joints
lateral C-spine
70 degree oblique T-spine
45 degree oblique L-spine
intervertebral foramen
45 degree oblique C-spine
lateral T-spine
lateral L-spine
CR angle for an AP axial C-spine when the patient is in the supine position
15 degree cephalic
An increased SID of 60-72 inches should be used for lateral and oblique projections to compensate for
increased OID
neck of scottie dog seen on oblique lumbar spine
pars interarticularis (lamina)
CR angulation for an anterior oblique C-spine with the patient in an erect position
20 degrees caudal
Common name for the cerviothoracic lateral position
swimmer's
,2|Page
Cervical spine anatomy best demonstrated with the patient in LAO position
left intervertebral foramina
CR angulation for an AP axial projection of the SI joints on a male patient
30 degrees cephalic
Anatomy of the lumbar spine best demonstrated when the patient is in the LPO position
left zygapophyseal joints
Why should the knees and hips be flexed for an AP lumbar spine projection
to reduce the curvature of the spine which helps open intervertebral disk spaces
Topographic landmark that corresponds with the level of C3
gonion
Reasoning for suspending respiration on full expiration when performing a lateral cervical spine
to maximize shoulder depression
CR angulation for an AP axial projection of the coccyx
10 degrees caudal
CR angulation for a PA axial sacrum
15 degrees caudal
Which SI joint would you be imaging with the patient in a LPO position
right SI joint; 25-30 degrees oblique
What angulation is recommended when performing a cerviothoracic lateral if your patient is unable to drop
his/her shoulder
3-5 degrees caudal
When performing an AP open mouth projection of the cervical spine, the lower margin of the upper incisors
should be aligned with the
base of the skull
CR centering for the cervical spine (AP, LAT, & OBL) is at the level of
C4
Sagging of the vertebral column can occur if the waist is not supported sufficiently on a lateral L5S1 of the
lumbar spine. The CR must be angled
5-8 degrees caudal to be parallel to the interiliac line
,3|Page
When performing a Fuchs method to visualize the odontoid process, what is positioned near perpendicular to
the IR and the CR is directed just inferior to the tip of the mandible
mentomeatal line
Each rib is numbered according to
the thoracic vertebra to which it attaches
The posterior end of a typical rib is how many inches higher than the anterior end
3-5
The first how many pairs of ribs are considered true ribs because they are connected to the sternum by their
costocartilage
7
How many pairs of ribs should be demonstrated below the diaphragm on a supine below diaphragm rib exam
3
Which oblique position would you use to get the best image of the left sternoclavicular joint with the least
amount of magnification
LAO
Degree of body rotation for an RAO sternum
15-20
Preferred breathing technique for an oblique sternum
orthostatic
Degree of body rotation required when positioning for oblique ribs
45
Which ribs would you be imaging if you place your patient in an upright, LAO position (rotate spine away from
the site of injury)
LAO
CR should be centered at the level of what for a PA projection of the sternoclavicular joints
T2-T3
Your patient has an injury to their right, lower posterior ribs. Which of the body positions would give you the
best image of the injured ribs with the least amount of magnification
RPO
Degree of rotation for an oblique if the sternoclavicular joint
, 4|Page
10-15 degrees
CR directed on a cerviothoracic lateral
T1
CR angulation for the AP axial projection of the sacrum is directed to the midsagittal plane
2 inches superior to the pubic symphysis
Topographic landmark that corresponds to the level of T9-T10
xiphoid process
Breathing instruction for an AP T-spine allows for a more uniform brightness/density on the image
suspend respiration on expiration
CR centering for a lateral L-spine (35x43 cm IR)
at the level of the iliac crest
For the posterior oblique of the SI joint the CR should be directed 1 inch
medial to the upside SI joint
The upper how many posterior ribs generally represent the minimum number of ribs above the dome or central
portion of the diaphragm on full inspiration
9
Extend posterior from either side of the vertebral body and form most of the sides of the vertebral arch
pedicles
Alternative name for C1
atlas
Unique feature of all thoracic vertebra that distinguishes them from other vertebrae
facets for articulation with ribs
Which projection of the cervical spine should be taken first when a patient with a possible cervical spine injury
enter the emergency room on a backboard
horizontal beam (crosstable) lateral
Outer canthus
lateral junction of the eyelid
Gonion
posterior angle of the jaw
DIGITAL RADIOGRAPHY AND PACS 2025/2026
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS LATEST TEST
BANK RANKED A+
When vertebra are stacked, the superior and inferior vertebral notches line up. These two half-moon shaped
areas form a single opening called the ______________ through which important spinal nerves and blood
vessels pass.
intervertebral foramen
Condition characterized by an abnormal convex curvature of the thoracic spine
kyphosis
Formed by the articulation of the superior articular process of one vertebrae with the inferior articular process of
another vertebra
zygapophyseal joint
zygapophyseal joints
lateral C-spine
70 degree oblique T-spine
45 degree oblique L-spine
intervertebral foramen
45 degree oblique C-spine
lateral T-spine
lateral L-spine
CR angle for an AP axial C-spine when the patient is in the supine position
15 degree cephalic
An increased SID of 60-72 inches should be used for lateral and oblique projections to compensate for
increased OID
neck of scottie dog seen on oblique lumbar spine
pars interarticularis (lamina)
CR angulation for an anterior oblique C-spine with the patient in an erect position
20 degrees caudal
Common name for the cerviothoracic lateral position
swimmer's
,2|Page
Cervical spine anatomy best demonstrated with the patient in LAO position
left intervertebral foramina
CR angulation for an AP axial projection of the SI joints on a male patient
30 degrees cephalic
Anatomy of the lumbar spine best demonstrated when the patient is in the LPO position
left zygapophyseal joints
Why should the knees and hips be flexed for an AP lumbar spine projection
to reduce the curvature of the spine which helps open intervertebral disk spaces
Topographic landmark that corresponds with the level of C3
gonion
Reasoning for suspending respiration on full expiration when performing a lateral cervical spine
to maximize shoulder depression
CR angulation for an AP axial projection of the coccyx
10 degrees caudal
CR angulation for a PA axial sacrum
15 degrees caudal
Which SI joint would you be imaging with the patient in a LPO position
right SI joint; 25-30 degrees oblique
What angulation is recommended when performing a cerviothoracic lateral if your patient is unable to drop
his/her shoulder
3-5 degrees caudal
When performing an AP open mouth projection of the cervical spine, the lower margin of the upper incisors
should be aligned with the
base of the skull
CR centering for the cervical spine (AP, LAT, & OBL) is at the level of
C4
Sagging of the vertebral column can occur if the waist is not supported sufficiently on a lateral L5S1 of the
lumbar spine. The CR must be angled
5-8 degrees caudal to be parallel to the interiliac line
,3|Page
When performing a Fuchs method to visualize the odontoid process, what is positioned near perpendicular to
the IR and the CR is directed just inferior to the tip of the mandible
mentomeatal line
Each rib is numbered according to
the thoracic vertebra to which it attaches
The posterior end of a typical rib is how many inches higher than the anterior end
3-5
The first how many pairs of ribs are considered true ribs because they are connected to the sternum by their
costocartilage
7
How many pairs of ribs should be demonstrated below the diaphragm on a supine below diaphragm rib exam
3
Which oblique position would you use to get the best image of the left sternoclavicular joint with the least
amount of magnification
LAO
Degree of body rotation for an RAO sternum
15-20
Preferred breathing technique for an oblique sternum
orthostatic
Degree of body rotation required when positioning for oblique ribs
45
Which ribs would you be imaging if you place your patient in an upright, LAO position (rotate spine away from
the site of injury)
LAO
CR should be centered at the level of what for a PA projection of the sternoclavicular joints
T2-T3
Your patient has an injury to their right, lower posterior ribs. Which of the body positions would give you the
best image of the injured ribs with the least amount of magnification
RPO
Degree of rotation for an oblique if the sternoclavicular joint
, 4|Page
10-15 degrees
CR directed on a cerviothoracic lateral
T1
CR angulation for the AP axial projection of the sacrum is directed to the midsagittal plane
2 inches superior to the pubic symphysis
Topographic landmark that corresponds to the level of T9-T10
xiphoid process
Breathing instruction for an AP T-spine allows for a more uniform brightness/density on the image
suspend respiration on expiration
CR centering for a lateral L-spine (35x43 cm IR)
at the level of the iliac crest
For the posterior oblique of the SI joint the CR should be directed 1 inch
medial to the upside SI joint
The upper how many posterior ribs generally represent the minimum number of ribs above the dome or central
portion of the diaphragm on full inspiration
9
Extend posterior from either side of the vertebral body and form most of the sides of the vertebral arch
pedicles
Alternative name for C1
atlas
Unique feature of all thoracic vertebra that distinguishes them from other vertebrae
facets for articulation with ribs
Which projection of the cervical spine should be taken first when a patient with a possible cervical spine injury
enter the emergency room on a backboard
horizontal beam (crosstable) lateral
Outer canthus
lateral junction of the eyelid
Gonion
posterior angle of the jaw
