Lumbar Spine Positioning Quiz

The intervertebral foramina of the lumbar spine are located at a ___ angle in relation to the MSP

• 45 degree

• 70-75 degree

• 30-35 degree

• 90 degree

A technologist is positioning a patient for an oblique view of the lumbar spine. They place the patient in a RPO. Which structure will be well visualized on the radiograph?

• Left zygapophyseal joints (upside)

• Right intervertebral foramen (downside)

• Right zygapophyseal joints (downside)

• Left intervertebral foramen (upside)

An image of an AP axial sacrum reveals that it is foreshortened and the sacral foramina are not clearly seen. The patient was in an AP supine position and the CR was angled 15 degrees caudad. What was the error?

• The CR angle is too steep, needs to be decreased to 5 degrees

• The CR is angled in the wrong direction

• There should be NO angle, CR should be perpendicular to the IR

• The CR angle is too shallow, needs to be increased to 25 degrees

When evaluating an oblique lumbar spine radiograph you notice that the joints are not well visualized, and the pedicle is posterior on the vertebral body. Which positioning error is present?

• Patient is not in a true lateral

• Patient is under-rotated

• The CR angle is too shallow

• Patient is over-rotated

The appropriate position to demonstrate the zygapophyseal joints of the lumbar spine is:

• 45 degree oblique

• Lateral

• 30 degree oblique

• AP Axial

If a patient is positioned in a 30 degree LPO, which SI joint will be well visualized?

• Right SI joint

• Left SI joint

The intervertebral foramen of the lumbar spine are best visualized using which of the following positions/projections?

• RPO/LPO

• RAO/LAO

• AP

• Lateral

An image of an AP axial coccyx reveals that the symphysis pubis and the coccyx are free of superimposition. What should the radiographer do to correct this positioning?

• No change

• Decrease the CR angle

• Increase the CR angle

• Oblique the patient 45 degrees

Which of the following features are unique to the lumbar vertebrae?

• Transverse foramen

• Costal facets

• Bifid tips

• Pars interarticularis

What is the correct CR angle for an AP axial projection of the sacrum?

• 15 degrees cephalad

• 15 degrees caudad

• 30 degrees cephalad

• 30 degrees caudad