PA Anatomy: Imaging Overview-Radiography

Anatomic terms for position:

Anterior (front)

Posterior (back)

Lateral (away from the midline)

Medial (toward the midline)

Distal (away from the center or origin)

Proximal (toward the center or origin)

Superior (top), or Cranial

Inferior (bottom), or Caudal

In describing radiographic PROJECTIONS, we name the position of the image based on the path of the x-ray beam through the patient's body. For the lateral view, we name it based on which side of the patient is closest to the detector