Normal X-Ray Anatomy Axial and Appendicular Skeleton William Ursprung, DC
Lesson Objectives n n n Identify anatomical structures on plain film radiographs Identify the views commonly used to radiograph the skeletal system Utilize a basic search pattern to screen plain film radiographs for pathology
Basic Rules for Interpretation n n Plain films are a 2 dimensional gray scale image of a 3 dimensional anatomical structure Four basic densities n n Metal = very bright (white) Bone = bright (white) Water/soft tissue = (various shades of gray) Air = dark (black)
Basic Rules for Interpretation n n Rule of thumb for radiographs: min. of 2 views that are offset by 90° for any body part ABOLTS search pattern n n n A = anatomy B = breaks or step defects in the cortex O = opacities (ie blastic lesion, impacted fx) L = lucencies (ie lytic lesion, displaced fx) T= trabecular architecture S = soft tissues (swelling, mass, fascial planes)