Skull - AP

Radiographic Positioning

Adult

Other related pages of interest Applied Radiography Radiographic Anatomy Radiographic Protocols

Name of projection	Skull AP
Area Covered	Skull vault superiorly, including the maxilla inferiorly
Pathology shown	Fractures of the skull
Radiographic Anatomy	Skull Radiographic Anatomy
IR Size & Orientation	24 x 30 cm Portrait
Film / Screen Combination	Regular (CR and DR as recommended by manufacturer)
Bucky / Grid	Moving or Stationary Grid
Filter	No
Exposure	75 kVp 20 mAs
FFD / SID	100 cm
Central Ray	Directed to the glabella Parallel to the radiographic baseline (OrbitoMeatal Line)
Collimation	Outer skin margins of the skull
Markers	Inferior/Lateral Marker orientation AP
Shielding	Gonadal (check your department's policy guidelines)
Respiration	Suspended
Positioning	The patient typically presents in a supine position in trauma cases If the patient has not been cleared of a cervical spine injury, do not reposition the patient Angle the central ray so that it is parallel and aligned with the radiographic baseline (OML), and directed to the glabella
Critique PACEMAN	Positioning No rotation is evidenced by The lateral borders of the orbits to the lateral borders of the skull are equidistant on both sides. (see note below) No tilt is evidenced by The petrous ridges are horizontal Area Covered Skull vault, maxilla Collimation Centre: Glabella Shutter A: Open to include the lateral skin margins of the skull Shutter B: Open to include the entire skull superiorly, and the maxilla inferiorly Exposure Assess for adequate penetration of the thickest part of the skull, the frontal bone Bony trabecular patterns and cortical outlines are sharply defined Soft tissues are visualised
Special Notes	Effect of the central ray being parallel to the radiographic baseline (OML) Petrous ridges will be seen within the orbits Determining the direction of head rotation The distance from the lateral border of the orbit to the lateral border of the skull on one side will be decreased on the side the patient is looking to. That is, in a PA position, if the patient is lrotated to the left, then the distance will be smaller on this side when compared with the right side of the skull.)