Name that Anatomy
Clinical Connections
Methods & Mysteries
GI Challenge
Think Like a Technologist
100

This carpal bone is most commonly fractured after a fall on an outstretched hand.

What is the scaphoid/Navicular?

  • Most commonly fractured carpal bone
  • Snuffbox tenderness = suspect scaphoid fracture
100

This body habitus typically has the most vertically positioned stomach.

What is asthenic?

  • Vertical stomach
  • Gallbladder positioned low
  • Colon positioned low
  • CR adjustments may be needed
100

This method is named after the physician who developed the projection for the carpal tunnel.

What is the Gaynor-Hart method?

  • Demonstrates hook of hamate
  • Demonstrates pisiform
  • Used in carpal tunnel evaluation
100

This organ stores bile before it enters the digestive tract.

What is the gallbladder?

  • Located beneath the liver
  • Contracts after fatty meals
  • Gallstones are common
100

You cannot obtain the perfect textbook position because the patient is in severe pain. Your first priority is this.

What is avoiding further injury while obtaining diagnostic views?

  • Patient safety comes first
  • Modify positioning
  • Communicate with the radiologist if needed
200

This bony landmark can be felt at the level of L4-L5.

What is the iliac crest?

  • Used to center AP abdomen
  • Easily palpated on most patients
200

Pain here following a twisting ankle injury often suggests injury to the lateral ligaments.

What is the lateral malleolus?

  • Common inversion injury
  • Assess fibula carefully
  • Mortise view often demonstrates ligament involvement
200

This method demonstrates the glenoid cavity without superimposition.

What is the Grashey method?

  • AP oblique shoulder
  • "True AP" of the glenohumeral joint
  • Demonstrates joint space
200

This is the longest portion of the small intestine.

What is the jejunum?

  • Primary nutrient absorption
  • Lies mostly in left upper abdomen
  • More feathery appearance than ileum
200

A physician asks you to "show me the joint space." Before choosing a projection, you should first determine this.

What is the joint or anatomy that needs to be demonstrated?

  • Think anatomy first
  • Projection choice follows anatomy
  • Avoid memorizing projections without purpose
300

This portion of the humerus articulates with the radius.

What is the capitulum?

  • Round lateral condyle
  • Articulates with radial head
  • Trochlea articulates with ulna
300

Difficulty swallowing is the primary symptom leading to this digestive examination.

What is an esophagram (barium swallow)?

  • Evaluates swallowing function
  • Demonstrates strictures, diverticula, reflux
  • Often first GI fluoroscopic exam performed
300

This trauma method demonstrates the femoral neck without moving the injured leg.

What is the Danelius-Miller method (Clements-Nakayma also acceptable)?

  • Cross-table lateral hip
  • Gold standard for trauma
  • Avoids manipulating hip joint
300

This position causes barium to collect in the fundus.

What is the LPO?

  • Posterior stomach becomes dependent
  • Helpful for evaluating fundus
  • Compare with RAO
300

A trauma patient cannot tolerate a lateral projection. What imaging principle becomes even more important?

What is obtaining orthogonal views whenever safely possible?

  • Two views at 90° are ideal
  • Sometimes alternative projections are necessary
  • Never sacrifice patient safety
400

This depression on the scapula forms the shoulder joint.

What is the glenoid cavity/fossa?

  • Articulates with humeral head
  • Very shallow joint
  • Allows tremendous mobility
  • Common site evaluated in trauma
400

A patient who cannot internally rotate the legs will make this part of the femur appear shortened.

What are the femoral necks?

  • Internal rotation places femoral necks parallel to the IR
  • Lesser trochanters become more visible without rotation
  • Common positioning error
400

This method evaluates the intercondylar fossa using a kneeling position.

What is the Holmblad method?

  • Demonstrates intercondylar fossa
400

These two types of contrast provides the best visualization of fine mucosal detail when used together.

What is high-density barium & air?

  • Better demonstrates polyps and ulcers
  • Preferred for mucosal evaluation
400

During fluoroscopy, the radiologist asks you to rotate the patient. Why?

What is to redistribute barium and air to better demonstrate anatomy?

  • Gravity affects contrast distribution
  • Position changes reveal different structures
  • Dynamic imaging is a major advantage of fluoroscopy
500

This portion of the pelvis forms the socket of the hip joint.

What is the acetabulum?

  • Formed by three pelvic bones (ilium, ischium, & pubis)
  • Receives femoral head
  • Frequently fractured in high-energy trauma
  • Judet projections evaluate this area
500

This structure separates the small intestine from the large intestine.

What is the ileocecal valve?

  • Junction of ileum and cecum
  • Important endpoint during small bowel series
  • Prevents reflux of colonic contents
500

This method can demonstrate either the radial head or coronoid process depending on CR angle.

What is the Coyle method?

  • Designed for trauma elbows
  • Patient does not need full extension
  • CR changes determine anatomy visualized
500

This digestive organ begins immediately after the pyloric sphincter.

What is the duodenum?

  • Four segments (superior, descending, transverse/horizontal, ascending)
  • Duodenal bulb is common ulcer site
  • First part of the small intestine
500

The best technologists do not memorize projections—they understand this concept first.

What is the anatomy being demonstrated and the clinical purpose of the examination?

  • This is the mindset that translates to clinical practice.
  • If you understand anatomy and the clinical question, selecting the correct projection becomes much more intuitive.