LESSON 3
POSITIONING TERMINOLOGY
Section I. GENERAL TERMS AND BODY PART TERMS
3-1.
INTRODUCTION
a. The Importance of Terms. In order to function effectively as a radiologic
technologist, you must have a working knowledge of the terms commonly used in
performing radiographic examinations. If your knowledge of these terms is inaccurate
or incomplete, you may well end up positioning the patient for the wrong view. You
might conceivably perform an incomplete examination or produce a blurry image. Thus,
you would fail to provide the radiologist with the radiographic information needed to
make a prompt and accurate diagnosis. You would also run the risk of exposing the
patient to unnecessary repeat exposures. This lesson is intended to present the terms
that you will need to know and use in positioning your patient for radiographs. Where
possible, the terms are used in context and an illustration is provided to help you master
the material and provide greater clarity.
b. Where Terms are Introduced. As you may have noticed, by now, this is not
the only lesson in which new terms have been introduced. Other terms have been
presented, in context, where they are logically needed to present a concept. Learning
to use the terms in context is, in fact, a better way to learn new terms than by simply
memorizing definitions in isolation. The terms covered in this lesson are a catch-all for
remaining terms that have not cropped up in the two previous lessons. As for the
previous lessons, new terms and their definitions are separated out of the text visually
(boxed) for ease of reference. In addition, all the new terms in the subcourse are
compiled in a glossary presented in the Appendix to facilitate subsequent review and
mastery.
3-2.
THE TERMS, X-RAY FILM AND RADIOGRAPH
a. X-ray Film. The terms "X-ray film" and "radiograph" are quite often used
interchangeably. But, in fact, they have distinct and separate meanings. The X-ray film
refers more specifically to the physical piece of material on which the radiograph is
taken.
X-ray film: emulsion composed of silver bromide crystals suspended in a gelatin
substance and spread evenly upon a transparent, blue-tinted, polyester support base.
b. Radiograph. The radiograph, on the other hand, refers to the X-ray film once
it has an image on it. In other words, the end result used by the radiologist for diagnosis
of the patient's condition.
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3-2