Normal – AP

Because the AP projection positions the heart and mediastinum further from the x-ray film than the PA projection, these structures appear magnified with the AP view. Other clues that you are looking at an AP projection include clavicles that project above the lung...

Nipple Shadows

Nipple shadows can often mimic pulmonary nodules. Clues to nipples being the source of the apparent nodules on the lateral radiograph, bilaterally and “lesions” whose inferior and lateral borders appear sharper than their superior and medial margins....

Mediastinum

Components of the PA mediastianl shadow (A) include SVC (1), ascending aorta (2), RA (3), IVC (4), aortic arch (5), pulmonary trunk (6), LA appendage (7), and LV (8). Mediastinal compartments on the lateral film (B) include: superior (S), anterior (A), middle (M) and...

Lateral Film

This is a normal lateral film of a female patient. Note the spine (sp), anterior costophrenic angle (acpa), gastric air bubble (gab), trachea (tr), left mainstem bronchus (lbr), right mainstem bronchus (rbr), aortic arch (ao), anterior/retrosternal (acs) and...

Inspiration and Expiration Films

On a film taken in full inspiration, the right hemidiaphragm should project over the 6th anterior interspace or 10th rib posteriorly. Films taken without a full inspiration are described as having a “poor inspiratory result”. This may result from a poor inspiratory...