CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

How should the right limb be positioned to achieve a lateral frog hip image?

1. Adducted 20 to 45 degrees from vertical

2. Abducted 20 to 30 degrees from vertical

3. With the pelvis rotated, place the limb parallel with the image receptor

4. Abducted 45 degrees from vertical

The correct answer is: With the pelvis rotated, place the limb parallel with the image receptor

To achieve a lateral frog hip image, it is essential to understand the proper positioning of the limb in relation to the image receptor. When positioning the patient for this particular view, placing the limb parallel with the image receptor is crucial for obtaining the most accurate and diagnostically useful image. This alignment ensures that the hip joint is well visualized and that there is minimal distortion in the image. In this position, the abducted limb facilitates the opening of the femoral neck and greater trochanter, which are critical anatomical landmarks for assessment in hip studies. Additionally, having the limb parallel to the image receptor maintains a consistent distance, minimizing the risk of magnification and improving the spatial resolution of the image. The other positions, while incorrect, represent different approaches that would not achieve the desired lateral frog hip view, potentially compromising image quality and diagnostic efficacy. Therefore, the positioning that ensures the limb is parallel to the image receptor while in abduction provides optimal visualization for radiographic assessment of the hip joint.