Radiography positioning guide
Master radiography positioning: 130+ projections by region.
Every projection you'll encounter on the ARRT Radiography Boards, with audited centering points, central ray angles, exposure parameters, and image-quality criteria. 8 regions. Free to read on the public site; interactive 3D viewer in the app.
Chest
5 projections
Chest PA
Standard upright posteroanterior chest projection. SID 72".
View positioning guide →Chest AP
Anteroposterior chest. Used when patient cannot stand for PA.
View positioning guide →Chest Left Lateral
Upright left lateral chest. Complement to PA. SID 72".
View positioning guide →Chest AP supine
Bedside supine chest. ICU/trauma. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Chest Lordotic
AP axial / lordotic. Projects clavicles above lung apices. SID 72".
View positioning guide →Skull
19 projections
Skull Lateral
True lateral cranium. SID 40". CR perpendicular to IR.
View positioning guide →Skull AP axial (Towne)
AP axial / Towne. Occipital bone, dorsum sellae. SID 40", CR 30° caudad.
View positioning guide →Skull PA axial (Caldwell)
PA axial / Caldwell. Frontal bone, frontal & ethmoid sinuses. CR 15° caudad to OML.
View positioning guide →Skull Waters (parietoacanthial)
Waters method. Maxillary sinuses, facial bones. MML perpendicular to IR.
View positioning guide →Skull AP
AP cranium. SID 40". CR perpendicular to IR.
View positioning guide →Skull PA
Forehead and nose on IR. OML perpendicular. CR exits nasion.
View positioning guide →Skull SMV (Cranial Base)
Vertex on IR. IOML parallel to IR. CR perpendicular to IOML.
View positioning guide →Facial Bones Parietoacanthial (Waters)
Waters method. Maxillary sinuses, facial bones. MML perpendicular to IR.
View positioning guide →Facial Bones Lateral
True lateral facial skeleton. SID 40". CR perpendicular to IR.
View positioning guide →Facial Bones PA Axial (Caldwell)
Caldwell method. Frontal sinuses, ethmoid, facial bones. CR 15° caudad.
View positioning guide →Nasal Bones Lateral
True lateral nasal bones. SID 40". CR perpendicular to IR.
View positioning guide →Mandible PA (Rami)
PA mandible. Body and rami. CR perpendicular to IR.
View positioning guide →Mandible PA Axial (Rami)
PA Axial mandible. Rami and body. CR 20-25° cephalad.
View positioning guide →Mandible Axiolateral and Oblique Axiolateral
Axiolateral & oblique axiolateral mandible. CR 25° cephalad.
View positioning guide →Mandible Submentovertical (SMV)
SMV mandible. Entire mandible. IOML parallel to IR.
View positioning guide →TMJ Axiolateral
Axiolateral TMJ. Joint space, condyle. CR 25-30° caudad.
View positioning guide →TMJ Axiolateral Oblique
Axiolateral oblique TMJ. Joint space clear. CR 15° caudad.
View positioning guide →Sinuses Lateral
Upright lateral. CR horizontal. Demonstrates air-fluid levels.
View positioning guide →Sinuses SMV
Upright SMV. Vertex on IR. IOML parallel. Sphenoid + ethmoid sinuses.
View positioning guide →Abdomen
3 projections
Abdomen AP Upright
Erect against vertical Bucky, back straight, arms at sides. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Abdomen AP Supine (KUB)
Supine, legs extended, arms at sides. SID 40". Standard KUB position.
View positioning guide →Abdomen Lateral Decubitus
Lateral recumbent, CR perpendicular at 2 inches above iliac crest. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Spine
13 projections
AP Odontoid (Open Mouth)
Supine, mouth open wide, CR perpendicular. C1-C2 visualization.
View positioning guide →AP Dens (Fuchs)
Supine, head extended, CR perpendicular. Alternate dens visualization.
View positioning guide →AP Axial Cervical
Supine, CR 15-20° cephalad, centered C4. Lower cervical survey.
View positioning guide →Lateral Cervical
Erect lateral, CR perpendicular to C4, 72" SID. Standard survey.
View positioning guide →Lateral Cervical (Swimmers)
Erect lateral, arm raised, CR to C7-T1. Twining method.
View positioning guide →Lateral Cervical (Flexion)
Erect lateral, head flexed forward, CR to C4.
View positioning guide →Lateral Cervical (Extension)
Erect lateral, head extended backward, CR to C4.
View positioning guide →AP Thoracic
Supine, arms at sides, CR perpendicular to T7. Grid required.
View positioning guide →Lateral Thoracic
Lateral recumbent, CR perpendicular to T7. Breathing technique.
View positioning guide →AP Lumbar
Supine, knees flexed, CR perpendicular to the iliac crest (L4). Grid required.
View positioning guide →Lateral Lumbar
Lateral recumbent, knees flexed, CR perpendicular to the iliac crest (L4).
View positioning guide →AP Oblique Lumbar Zygapophyseal Joints
45° oblique, RPO or LPO, CR to L3. Facet joints.
View positioning guide →L5-S1 Lumbosacral Junction
Lateral recumbent, CR to L5-S1 junction. Flexed knees.
View positioning guide →Upper Extremity
36 projections
Elbow AP
Seated, arm extended on IR, palm supinated. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Elbow Lateral
Seated, elbow flexed 80-90 degrees, hand in lateral position. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Elbow AP Oblique (Lateral Rotation)
Arm extended, rotated 45 degrees laterally until 1st/2nd digits touch the table.
View positioning guide →Elbow AP Oblique (Medial Rotation)
Arm extended, hand internally rotated 45 degrees from true AP.
View positioning guide →Elbow Axiolateral, Coyle (Radial Head)
Elbow flexed 90 degrees, palm flat on IR. CR angled 45 degrees toward shoulder.
View positioning guide →Elbow Axiolateral, Coyle (Coronoid Process)
Elbow flexed 80 degrees, palm flat on IR. CR angled 45 degrees away from shoulder.
View positioning guide →Thumb AP
Seated, thumb abducted at 45 degrees on IR. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Thumb PA Oblique
Seated, hand pronated, thumb obliqued 45 degrees. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Thumb Lateral
Seated, thumb abducted, medial surface perpendicular. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Digits 2-5 PA
Seated, hand pronated, palm down on IR. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Digits 2-5 PA Oblique
Seated, hand rotated 45 degrees, ulnar side raised. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Digits 2-5 Lateral
Seated, medial side on IR, fingers extended. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Hand PA
Seated with forearm on table, palm down. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Hand PA Oblique
Seated with hand obliqued 45 degrees, ulnar side raised. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Hand Lateral
Seated with medial side of hand on IR. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Wrist PA
Seated with forearm on table, wrist pronated. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Wrist PA Oblique
Seated with wrist rotated 45 degrees, ulnar side raised. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Wrist Lateral
Seated with elbow flexed 90 degrees, wrist lateral. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Wrist PA in Ulnar Deviation
Seated, forearm extended on IR, hand deviated toward ulnar side. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Wrist PA Axial for Scaphoid
Seated, hand in mild ulnar deviation. CR angled 15–20° toward elbow.
View positioning guide →Wrist Tangential (Carpal Canal)
Seated, wrist hyperextended. CR angled 25–30° to long axis of hand.
View positioning guide →Forearm AP
Seated, forearm extended on IR, palm supinated. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Forearm Lateral
Seated, forearm lateral on IR with thumb up. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Humerus AP
Upright, arm at side with elbow flexed 90 degrees, palm inward. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Humerus Lateral (Upright)
Upright, arm internally rotated, palm backward. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Humerus Lateral (Recumbent)
Supine, arm internally rotated, palm down. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Shoulder AP
Erect, arm at side with slight external rotation. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Shoulder AP Oblique, Grashey Method
Body rotated 35-45 degrees. CR perpendicular to scapular plane. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Shoulder Scapular Y
Lateral or oblique erect position, arm abducted. CR perpendicular to scapular Y. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Shoulder Transthoracic Lateral
Lateral erect, affected shoulder against IR. Breathing technique. SID 40".
View positioning guide →AC Joints AP
Erect, bilateral AC joints. Arms at sides, weights attached for separation. SID 72".
View positioning guide →AC Joints AP with Weights
Erect, bilateral AC joints. 5 to 10 lb weights suspended from both wrists. SID 72".
View positioning guide →Clavicle AP
Erect, arm at side. CR perpendicular to clavicle midshaft. SID 40". Include entire clavicle.
View positioning guide →Clavicle AP Axial
Erect, CR 15-30 degrees cephalad. Clavicle clear of ribs. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Scapula AP
Erect, arm abducted 90 degrees. CR perpendicular to midscapula. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Scapula Lateral
Lateral erect, 45-60 degree rotation. CR perpendicular to scapular body. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Lower Extremity
29 projections
Toes AP
Foot flat on IR, CR perpendicular to mid-foot. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Toes Lateral
Foot in true lateral on IR, CR perpendicular. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Toes AP Oblique
Foot rotated medially 45 degrees, CR perpendicular. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Sesamoids Tangential, Lewis Method
Patient prone, toe flexed back on IR. CR perpendicular and tangential. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Foot AP Axial
Foot dorsiflexed on IR, CR angled 10° cephalad toward heel. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Foot Medial Oblique
Foot rotated medially 30-45 degrees, CR perpendicular. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Calcaneus Axial (Plantodorsal)
Foot dorsiflexed, CR angled 40° cephalad through plantar surface. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Calcaneus Lateral (Mediolateral)
Patient lateral recumbent on affected side, CR perpendicular to calcaneus. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Ankle AP
Foot vertical on IR, CR perpendicular to ankle joint. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Ankle Lateral (Mediolateral)
Patient lateral recumbent on affected side, CR perpendicular to ankle. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Ankle Medial (Lateromedial)
Patient lateral on non-affected side, medial ankle on IR. CR perpendicular. SID 40".
View positioning guide →AP Medial Oblique Ankle
Supine, ankle internally rotated 45 degrees. SID 40".
View positioning guide →AP Medial Oblique Mortise Ankle
Supine, leg internally rotated 15-20°. Talus between malleoli. SID 40".
View positioning guide →AP Weight-Bearing Ankle
Upright standing on low platform, feet slightly apart. SID 40".
View positioning guide →AP Leg (Tibia & Fibula)
Supine, leg extended on IR, foot true AP. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Lateral Leg (Tibia & Fibula)
Supine, turn toward affected side, knee and ankle flexed 45 degrees. SID 40".
View positioning guide →AP Knee
Supine, leg fully extended on IR. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Lateral Knee
Supine rotated lateral, knee flexed 20-30 degrees. SID 40".
View positioning guide →AP Weight-Bearing Knees
Upright standing, both feet flat, knees extended. SID 40".
View positioning guide →PA Axial Intercondylar Fossa Standing Holmblad
Standing facing IR, knee flexed ~70 degrees, CR perpendicular to lower leg. SID 40".
View positioning guide →PA Axial Intercondylar Fossa Camp-Coventry
Prone, knee flexed 40-50 degrees, CR 40-50 degrees caudad. SID 40".
View positioning guide →AP Axial Intercondylar Fossa Beclere
Supine, knee flexed 60 degrees, CR 40 degrees cephalad. SID 40".
View positioning guide →PA Patella
Prone, knee flexed 45 degrees with lateral rotation. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Lateral Patella
Supine rotated lateral, knee flexed 5-10 degrees. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Tangential Patella Settegast
Prone, knee flexed 45-90 degrees, CR perpendicular to patella underside. SID 40".
View positioning guide →AP Proximal Femur
Supine, leg internally rotated 15-20 degrees. Hip joint included.
View positioning guide →AP Distal Femur
Supine, leg extended in true AP. Knee joint included.
View positioning guide →Lateral Proximal Femur
Lateral recumbent on affected side. Hip joint included.
View positioning guide →Lateral Distal Femur
Lateral recumbent on affected side. Knee joint included.
View positioning guide →Thorax
14 projections
Chest PA
Upright PA chest. SID 72". Inspiration on second breath.
View positioning guide →Chest AP
Anteroposterior upright chest projection. SID 72".
View positioning guide →Chest Lateral
Left or right lateral upright chest projection. SID 72".
View positioning guide →Chest Lateral Decubitus
Patient on side with horizontal beam. SID 72".
View positioning guide →Chest Dorsal Decubitus
Supine chest with horizontal beam. SID 72".
View positioning guide →Lungs AP Axial Lordotic
AP lordotic for pulmonary apices. Patient leans back ~30°. SID 72".
View positioning guide →Ribs Posterior AP
AP posterior ribs, erect. SID 40". Breathing varies by location.
View positioning guide →Ribs Anterior PA
PA anterior ribs, erect. SID 40". Full inspiration.
View positioning guide →Ribs AP Oblique
AP oblique ribs, 45-degree. SID 40". Full inspiration.
View positioning guide →Ribs PA Oblique
PA oblique ribs, 45-degree. SID 40". Full inspiration.
View positioning guide →Sternum PA Oblique RAO
PA oblique sternum (RAO), 15-20 degrees. SID 30". Breathing technique.
View positioning guide →Sternum Lateral
Lateral sternum, erect. SID 72". Arms raised.
View positioning guide →Sternoclavicular Joints PA
PA sternoclavicular joints. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Sternoclavicular Joints PA Oblique
PA oblique SC joints, 15 degrees. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Pelvis
11 projections
Hip AP
Supine, legs extended and internally rotated 15-20 degrees. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Hip Lateral
Supine, affected leg flexed 45 degrees at hip and knee. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Hip Axiolateral
Supine, affected leg extended, opposite leg raised out of the field. Horizontal cross-table CR. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Pelvis AP
Supine, legs extended and internally rotated 15-20 degrees. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Femoral Neck AP Oblique (Modified Cleaves)
Supine, hips flexed 40-45 degrees, knees flexed 60 degrees, feet together. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Sacrum AP Axial
Axial view of sacrum. CR 15° cephalad. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Sacrum Lateral
True lateral sacrum. SID 40". CR perpendicular to IR.
View positioning guide →Coccyx AP Axial
Axial view of coccyx. CR 10° caudad. SID 40".
View positioning guide →Coccyx Lateral
True lateral coccyx. SID 40". CR perpendicular to IR.
View positioning guide →SI Joints AP Axial
AP axial bilateral SI joints. CR 30-35° cephalad. SID 40".
View positioning guide →SI Joints AP Oblique (RPO)
AP oblique SI joints, RPO. SID 40". CR perpendicular to IR.
View positioning guide →Ready to practice positioning live?
Every projection in this guide has an interactive 3D viewer inside the app. Rotate the patient, see the centering point, study the central ray angle. Premium members unlock the full catalog plus the interactive positioning practice tool.