Interactive Diagrams

Positioning Foundations

Positioning Terminology

Rotate the patient between the x-ray tube and the image receptor to see how every projection and position gets its name.

Upper Extremity

Hand Positioning Series

Explore the hand's anatomy, then use Practice mode to position the PA, oblique, and lateral projections yourself.

Upper Extremity

Wrist Positioning Series

Explore the wrist's anatomy, then use Practice mode to position the PA, oblique, and lateral projections yourself.

Upper Extremity

Elbow Positioning Series

Compare the AP, flexion alternates, obliques, and lateral projections of the routine elbow series.

Upper Extremity

Forearm Positioning Series

Compare the AP and lateral projections of the routine forearm series, both showing the wrist and elbow.

Upper Extremity

Humerus Positioning Series

Compare the AP and rotational lateral projections of the routine humerus series.

Upper Extremity

Scapula Positioning Series

Compare the AP and lateral projections of the routine scapula series.

Upper Extremity

Shoulder Positioning Series

Compare AP external and AP internal rotation in the routine nontrauma shoulder series.

Lower Extremity

Ankle Positioning Series

Explore the ankle's anatomy, then use Practice mode to position the AP, mortise, oblique, and lateral projections yourself.

Lower Extremity

Foot Positioning Series

Explore the foot's anatomy, then use Practice mode to position the AP axial, oblique, and lateral projections yourself.

Lower Extremity

Femur Positioning Series

Explore the femur's anatomy, then use Practice mode to position the AP and lateral projections yourself.

Lower Extremity

Knee Positioning Series

Explore the knee's anatomy, then use Practice mode to position the AP, oblique, and lateral projections yourself.

Lower Extremity

Tibia and Fibula Positioning Series

Explore the tibia and fibula's anatomy, then use Practice mode to position the AP and lateral projections yourself.

Head, Spine and Pelvis

Cervical Spine Positioning Series

Compare the four routine cervical spine projections: open mouth, AP axial, oblique, and lateral.

Head, Spine and Pelvis

Lumbar Spine Positioning Series

Compare the three routine lumbar spine projections: AP, oblique, and lateral.

Head, Spine and Pelvis

Thoracic Spine Positioning Series

Compare the AP and lateral projections of the routine thoracic spine series.

Head, Spine and Pelvis

Vertebra Anatomy

Study the parts of a cervical, thoracic and lumbar vertebra on a stack of three, including the joints and openings between them.

Head, Spine and Pelvis

Pelvis and Hip Positioning Series

Explore the pelvis and hip, then use Practice mode to position each routine projection yourself.

Head, Spine and Pelvis

Sacrum, Coccyx and SI Joint Positioning Series

Study the sacrum, coccyx, and sacroiliac joints through their routine axial and oblique projections.

Chest & Thorax

Chest Series: Body Habitus, Decubitus and Lung Lobes

Fit the receptor to each body habitus, choose the side down for a lateral decubitus, and study the lobes and fissures of each lung.

Chest & Thorax

Ribs Positioning Series

Compare the AP, PA, and axillary oblique projections of the routine rib series.

Abdomen & GI

Barium Enema: Which Position Opens What

Review the nine positions of the barium enema routine side by side at one scale.

Abdomen & GI

Esophagram: The Five Positions

Review the five positions of the esophagram routine side by side at one scale.

Abdomen & GI

Small Bowel Series: Timed Barium Progression

Follow the small bowel series as a timed clock, from the stomach to the cecum.

Abdomen & GI

Upper GI Series: Where the Barium Goes

Review the five positions of the upper GI routine side by side at one scale.

Head, Spine and Pelvis

Facial Bones Positioning Series

Study all fourteen facial bones through the three routine facial projections: lateral, Waters, and Caldwell.

Head, Spine and Pelvis

Mandible and TMJ Positioning Series

Study the mandible and temporomandibular joints through all four routine projections: axiolateral oblique, PA, and two AP axial views.

Head, Spine and Pelvis

Skull Positioning Series

Compare the four routine skull projections: Towne, lateral, Caldwell, and straight PA.

GU Studies

Intravenous Urography: Obliques and Timed Sequence

Study how 30° posterior obliques place each kidney and ureter, then follow contrast through the timed IVU series from scout to postvoid.