lateral recumbent: see "lateral decubitus."
line of gravity: an imaginary vertical line that passes through the center of
gravity.
M
medial: refers to parts toward the median plane of the body or toward the
middle of a pad.
meslal: see "medial."
method: a procedure for positioning the body with reference to anatomical
landmarks, film position, and central ray to body position.
milliamperage (mA): the number of electrons flowing from the cathode end of
the X-ray tube to the anode end of the X-ray tube, measured in thousandths of
an ampere.
milliampere seconds (mAs): the milliamperage (number of electrons flowing
through the X-ray tube) multiplied by the duration of exposure in seconds.
N
normal breathing: the patient is instructed to breathe naturally without any
special self-monitoring or external prompts applied.
O
oblique body position: the body part is rotated so that the frontal (coronal)
plane is somewhere between a PA (or AP) and lateral projection.
order of procedure: a logical sequence of steps for performing preliminary
steps so as to accomplish the examination as efficiently as possible.
P
palpation point: anatomical structure(s) that serve as a kind of landmark or
guide for correctly demonstrating the body part on the cassette.
posterior (dorsal): refers to the back part of the body or organ.
projection: the process of recording a body part on an image receptor (film); the
path to the central ray from the X-ray tube to the film.
MD0961
A-4