Study Smarter
Airways are not normally seen in a normal chest radiograph because they are an air structure within an aerated lung. When the aerated lung opacifies, the bronchii become visualized because of the surrounding contrast effect. These are called air bronchograms and are virtually diagnostic of consolidation.
Posterior-anterior (PA) views minimize the magnification of the heart on x-rays.
Lordotic view allows evaluation of upper lungs because it “raises” the clavicles out of the way. Therefore the beam is shot diagonally from below the waist towards the shoulders.
Lateral decubitus views (patient lying on the side) are good for evaluating pneumothorax and pleural effusion. This particular film shows a patient on the left side.
In lateral views, the beam traveling from right to left minimizes the magnification of the heart.
Anterior-Posterior (AP)
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Evaluate for Right Ventricle Enlargement
Evidence of an enlarged right ventricle can be as follows:
Evaluate for Right Atrial (RA) Enlargement
Evidence of right atrial enlargement can be as follows:
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Evaluate for Pericardial Effusion
Evidence of a pericardial effusion can be as follows:
