Radiographic Positioning Guide

Welcome to the master positioning guide for radiography students. This page serves as the central hub for all positioning topics, linking to detailed sub‑pages for each anatomical region. Each section includes essential positioning concepts, key anatomy, and evaluation criteria, with optional external references for deeper study.

Purpose: Provide a complete, interlinked educational resource that mirrors the structure of Merrill’s Atlas while remaining student‑friendly and exam‑focused.


Positioning Categories

Upper Limb Positioning

Hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, humerus. Includes CR, IR, collimation, and evaluation criteria.

Radiopaedia Reference

Lower Limb Positioning

Foot, ankle, knee, tib-fib, femur. Includes trauma modifications and alignment tips.

Masterclass Reference

Chest Positioning

PA, lateral, decubitus chest with breathing instructions and rotation checks.

Radiopaedia Reference

Abdomen Positioning

KUB, upright abdomen, decubitus abdomen with exposure and motion control tips.

Masterclass Reference

Spine Positioning

Cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine with trauma considerations and alignment rules.

Radiopaedia Reference

Skull & Sinus Positioning

Skull, facial bones, sinuses with baseline alignment and angle charts.

Masterclass Reference

Special Procedures

Fluoroscopy, contrast studies, arthrography, myelography, and mobile radiography.

Radiopaedia Reference


Positioning Foundations

All radiographic positioning is built on five core principles:

This master page links to detailed sub‑pages where each projection is broken down using this standardized format.