Spine Anatomy

Cervical Spine Anatomy

C1 To C7 | Atlas Supports Skull | Axis Contains Dens | Foramina Angled 45 Degrees | Zygapophyseal Joints 90 Degrees | Bifid Spinous Processes C2 To C6

Thoracic Spine Anatomy

T1 To T12 | Long Downward Spinous Processes | Rib Articulations | Kyphotic Curve | Foramina Best Seen Lateral

Lumbar Spine Anatomy

L1 To L5 | Large Vertebral Bodies | Pars Interarticularis Forms Scotty Dog Neck | Zygapophyseal Joints 45 Degrees | Lordotic Curve | Steep L5 S1 Angle


Cervical Spine

Lateral Cervical Spine

Routine View

72 Inch SID | True Lateral | Shoulder Against Bucky | Chin Elevated | CR To C4 | Exposure On Expiration | Shows C1 To C7


AP Axial Cervical Spine

Frontal View

40 Inch SID | Chin Elevated | CR 15 To 20 Degrees Cephalad To C4 | Shows C3 To T2


Oblique Cervical Spine

Intervertebral Foramina

45 Degree Rotation | 72 Inch SID | CR 15 To 20 Degrees Cephalad | Posterior Obliques Show Side Up Foramina


Odontoid Open Mouth

C1 And C2

Mouth Open Wide | Align Incisors And Skull Base | CR Through Open Mouth | Shows Dens And Lateral Masses


Thoracic Spine

AP Thoracic Spine

Frontal View

14 x 17 Film | CR To T7 | Exposure On Expiration | Shows T1 To L1


Lateral Thoracic Spine

Intervertebral Spaces

Left Lateral | Arms Raised | CR To T7 | Orthostatic Breathing Or Expiration


Swimmer's View

C7 To T1

Arm Closest Raised | Opposite Arm Depressed | CR To C7 T1


Lumbar Spine

AP Lumbar Spine

Routine View

14 x 17 Film | Center At Iliac Crest | Knees Bent | CR Perpendicular | Shows T12 To Sacrum


RPO Lumbar Spine

45 Degree Oblique

Left Side Elevated | Center 1 Inch Above Crest | Shows Right Apophyseal Joints | Mark Right Side


LPO Lumbar Spine

45 Degree Oblique

Right Side Elevated | Center 1 Inch Above Crest | Shows Left Apophyseal Joints | Mark Left Side


Lateral Lumbar Spine

True Lateral

14 x 17 Film | True Left Lateral | CR At Iliac Crest | Disk Spaces Open


L5 S1 Spot

Lumbosacral Junction

8 x 10 Film | CR 5 To 10 Degrees Caudal | Cone Down To L5 S1


Flexion And Extension

Functional Study

Standing | One Film Flexion | One Film Extension | CR 1 Inch Above Crest


Terminology

Zygapophyseal Joints

Facet Joints Between Vertebrae | Seen In Oblique Lumbar And Lateral Cervical Views

Intervertebral Foramina

Nerve Openings | Seen In Lateral Lumbar And Oblique Cervical Views

Scotty Dog

Oblique Lumbar Appearance | Ear Superior Articular Process | Eye Pedicle | Nose Transverse Process | Neck Pars Interarticularis | Leg Inferior Articular Process

Lordosis And Kyphosis

Cervical And Lumbar Lordotic | Thoracic Kyphotic

Atlas And Axis

C1 And C2 Allow Rotation And Flexion