2. Radiologist provide useful information of anatomical structures through
careful interpretation of the photographic films.
However, the basis for understanding interpretations of radiographic
reports as contained in films lies in the basic knowledge of the anatomy
of the region/organ captured in the film.
The knowledge of type of radiographic projection and administration of a
contrast medium may also be a importance.
Radiographic anatomy is the anatomy of bodily structures, form, size,
orientation as presented in x-ray, CT scan, sonograms, MRI Scans as it
relates or differs from conventional knowledge of anatomy for diagnostic
purpose and learning
Introduction
3. Plain radiographs are the most commonly encountered of all
imaging studies.
Over-exposed (dark), radiographs are more useful than those
that are under-exposed, since the former retain the
information.
Rather than request another film and expose the patient to
more ionizing radiation, the dark film should be examined
with a bright light
Introduction cont’d
4. There are several types of radiographs in x-ray imaging studies
depending on the anatomical region captured.
They include, chest radiographs, abdominal radiographs and
radiographs of the musculoskeletal system
The frontal chest radiograph is the most commonly requested
plain film.
Radiographic projections and
Radiographs
6. TIPS TO RADIOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATIPONS
The film hung is hung
properly with focuses at its
periphery film as well as its
center.
In a properly centered film,
the medial ends of the
clavicles should be a similar
distance from the spinous
processes of the thoracic
vertebrae.
7. TIPS TO RADIOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATIPONS
Check for imaging rotations
which can change the
shape of the heart and the
appearance of the lungs,
creating a difference in
radiolucency between the
two sides.
8. TIPS TO RADIOGRAPHIC
INTERPRETATIPONS
It is important in
Interpretation of
radiographs in traumatic
condition to take two
views, at right angles to
each other.
Fractures may be missed
on a single view.
9. Anatomy of the chest
The lungs and airways
LUNG
Each lung occupies, and almost completely fills, its respective
hemithorax.
On the right, there are three lobes (the upper, middle, and
lower).
On the left, two (the upper and lower lobes)
By contrast, it should be noted that, on the left, there is no
such fissural division between the left upper lobe and lingula.
10. Anatomy of the chest
The lungs and airways
The horizontal fissure is seen
readily on a standard PA
radiograph as a thin line crossing
from the lateral edge of the
hemithorax to the hilum.
On a PA chest radiograph, the
oblique fissure is generally not
visible.
Furthermore, because the upper
lobe lies anteriorly, most of the
lung that is seen on the frontal
view will be the upper lobe .
11. Anatomy of the chest
The lungs and airways
On a lateral view of the
chest, both oblique fissures
may be visualized, running
obliquely in a cranio-caudal
distribution.
The horizontal fissure can
also be seen running
forward from the oblique
fissure.
Occasionally, accessory
fissures will be seen on a
chest radiograph.
12. The lungs are lined by two layers of pleura, which are
continuous at the hila.
The parietal pleura covers the inner surface of the chest
wall whereas the visceral layer is closely applied to the
lung surface.
A small volume of “normal” pleural fluid is generally
present within the pleural cavity to facilitate the smooth
movement of one layer over the other during breathing.
Anatomy of the chest
The lungs and airways
13. Anatomy of the chest
The lungs and airways
In the absence of
disease, the pleural
layers will not be seen
on chest radiograph.
However, because of
the superior contrast
resolution, the normal
pleura may be visualized
on CT images.
14. Hilum of the lungs
The hilum can be considered to be
the region at which pulmonary
vessels and airways enter or exit
the lungs.
The main components of each
hilum are the pulmonary artery,
bronchus, veins and lymph nodes.
On a frontal radiograph, the right
hilum may be identified as a broad
V-shaped structure; the left hilum is
often more difficult to identify
confidently.
15. A useful landmark for the radiologist, on the PA
radiograph, is the so-called “hilar point”
Though not a true anatomical structure, it is the
apparent region where the upper lobe
pulmonary veins meet the lower pulmonary
artery
Hilum of the lungs
