Exam 9: Lumbar Spine, Sacrum, and Coccyx

A radiograph of a lateral projection of the lumbar spine reveals that the mid- to lower-intervertebral joint spaces are not open.The patient's waist was supported.Which of the following modifications will help open these joint spaces during the repeat exposure?

Why should the hips and knees be flexed for an anteroposterior (AP)projection of the lumbar spine?

An anterior wedging of vertebrae with a loss of body height but rarely causing neurologic symptoms is called:

The small section of bone found between the superior and inferior articular processes of the lumbar spine is termed:

A female is more likely to suffer a fracture of the coccyx due to a backward,sitting type of fall than a male.

A radiograph of an AP axial coccyx reveals that the symphysis pubis is superimposed over the distal end of the coccyx.Which of the following modifications will correct this problem during the repeat exposure?

Carefully placed gonadal shielding must always be used on female patients for the AP lumbar spine projection.

Radiographs of oblique projections of the SI joints do not clearly demonstrate the inferior/distal aspect of the joints.What can the technologist do to better demonstrate this region?

The intervertebral joints in the lumbar spine are classified as:

Which of the following structures is located at the level of the ASIS?

A key advantage of a posteroanterior (PA)projection taken during a pediatric scoliosis study as compared with the AP projection is that it reduces:

A destructive type of lesion with irregular margins and increased density is an indication of possible:

Which aspect of the Scottie dog is the inferior articular process?

The radiographic appearance on an oblique lumbar spine in which the neck of the Scottie dog appears broken suggests the presence of:

The zygapophyseal joints of the upper lumbar vertebrae are ____ in relationship to the midsagittal plane.

A patient comes to radiology for a follow-up study of the lumbar spine.The patient had a spinal fusion performed at the L3-4 level 4 months earlier.Which of the following would best demonstrate the degree of movement at the fusion site?

Bone densitometry produces very little skin dose to the patient.

If the waist is supported properly,an average-size patient does not require any CR angulation for the lateral lumbar spine projection.

Which of the following is a condition of unknown cause in which calcification of bony ridges between vertebrae occurs,creating a lack of mobility with a "bamboo" appearance?

AEC (automatic exposure control)should not be used for an L5-S1 lateral or a lateral sacrum and coccyx.