Ribs

Radiographic Positioning

Adult

Other related pages of interest Applied Radiography Radiographic Anatomy Radiographic Protocols

Name of projection	AP Projection Below Diaphragm Ribs
Area Covered	Ribs 8 through 12 should be visualized
Pathology shown	Pathology of the ribs including fracture and neoplastic processes, is demonstrated
Radiographic Anatomy
IR Size & Orientation	35 by 43 cm (14 by 17 inches) Lengthwise or Crosswise
Film / Screen Combination	(CR and DR as recommended by manufacturer)
Bucky / Grid	Moving or stationary grid
Filter
Exposure	75 to 80 kV
FFD / SID	40 inches (100 cm)
Central Ray	perpendicular, centeres to midway between xiphoid and lower rib cage
Collimation	collimate to outer margins of thorax
Markers
Shielding	(check your department's policy guidelines)
Respiration	Suspend respiration on expiration
Positioning	Supine preferred
Critique PACEMAN	Positioning Rotation of the thorax should not be evident Area Covered Ribs 8 through 12 Collimation Center Collimation field appropriately, including ribs 8 through 12. Exposure Optimal contrast and density to visualize ribs through lungs and heart shadow or through the dense abdominal organs if below diaphragm. No motion, as demonstrated by sharp bony markings.
Special Notes	If doing a bilateral rib examination, place IR crosswise for large patients for both above and below diapragm ribs to ensure that lateral rib margins are not cut off. This compensates for magnification caused by 40 inches (100 cm ) of SID.