Imaging Modalities
This imaging modality is commonly used to produce 2D black-and-white images of bones and other dense structures, and is often the first diagnostic step for detecting fractures?
What is X-ray?
This plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.
What is the Coronal plane?
The patient lies flat on their back with arms at their sides.
What is Supine position?
A directional term that means "Toward the back of the body".
What is Posterior?
The X-ray beam passes through the body from back to front
What is Postero-Anterior (PA) ?
This method uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves, making it highly effective for imaging soft tissues such as the brain, spinal cord, and ligaments.
What is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)?
This plane divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.
What is the Transverse plane?
The patient lies on their side with the side of interest against the imaging plate.
What is Lateral position?
A term that means "Above or closer to the top of the body".
What is Superior?
The x-ray beam travels along the long axis of the body or body part.
What is Axial?
This modality uses a rotating X-ray beam and computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.
What is Computed Tomography (CT)?
This plane divides the body into right and left portions.
What is the Sagittal plane?
The patient is lying on their back with the head higher than the feet.
What is Fowler's position?
This term means "away from the center of the body."
What is Distal?
The beam skims along the surface of a curved body part.
What is Tangential?
In this real-time imaging technique, a transducer emits and receives sound waves, which are commonly utilized to visualize organs such as the heart, liver, and fetus.
What is Ultrasound?
A body plane that is slanted or diagonal, not perfectly horizontal or vertical.
What is an Oblique plane?
The patient is lying on their back with the head lower than feet.
What is Trendelenburg position?
A term which means "On the same side of the body"
What is Ipsilateral?
The x-ray beam passes from one side of the body to the other side (right or left).
What is Lateral?
This is a specialized imaging technique for breast cancer screening. It detects tumors and abnormalities in breast tissue, helping in early cancer detection and treatment planning.
What is Mammography?
A term/s that may also refer to the Transverse plane.
What is Axial or Horizontal plane?
A supine position with legs raised and supported in stirrups or leg holders.
What is Lithotomy position?
It means "On opposite sides of the body".
What is Contralateral?
The patient is lying down, and the beam is horizontal (used to detect air-fluid levels)
What is Decubitus?