Air Bronchogram
The air bronchograms seen in this chest x-ray and CT scan represent lucent branching bronchi visible through surrounding (opaque) airspace disease.
Acinar Pattern
The acinar pattern is representative of airspace disease. Seen are ill-defined, round or elliptical nodules measuring 4–8 mm. They have a characteristic “fluffy” appearance and may take on a patchy distribution, with a later tendency to coalesce into a lobar or segmental distribution (see images of a right middle lobe pneumonia under “Silhouette sign – RML”).
Side Markers
Side Markers (Left vs Right)
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Rotation
To assess rotation of the film, compare the distance between a spinous process to each of the clavicles. If the supinous process is closer to one clavicle, that side is rotated posteriorly.
Penetration
To ensure adequate penetration, the thoracic spine should be visible.
Patient ID
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Degree of Inspiration
To ensure proper inflation, the 6th rib should be visible anteriorly and the 10th rib posteriorly.
Upper Airway and Trachea No. 3
Upper Airway and Trachea No. 2
Upper Airway/Trachea – Lung Anatomy
Anterior (left) and posterior (right) view of the lungs.
Upper Airway and Trachea No. 1
Upper Airway/Trachea
In a normal chest x-ray the mediastinum and diaphragm are visible because of radio density differences (i.e. there is an interface). A loss of normally appearing interfaces usually results from processes in adjacent lung tissue (i.e. consolidation, atelectasis, mass, etc.) The interface loss helps you localize the disease to a specific part of the lung.