CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

In a lateral sternum view, if the left and right anterior ribs are not superimposed and the left thorax is rotated anteriorly, what does this indicate?

1. Correct positioning

2. Insufficient rotation

3. Rotation to the left

4. Rotation to the right

The correct answer is: Rotation to the left

The observation that the left and right anterior ribs are not superimposed, coupled with the anterior rotation of the left thorax, indicates that there has been a rotation toward the left side. In a lateral view of the sternum, proper positioning should ideally result in the anterior ribs being superimposed. If they are not, this suggests that the thorax is rotated, affecting the projection quality. When the left thorax is rotated anteriorly, it implies that the left side is positioned more towards the X-ray tube, causing the right side to appear relatively further from the tube and thus less prominent. This inconsistency in rib alignment reflects that rotation is to the left. Ensuring accurate positioning is critical for obtaining a clear and diagnostic image, as any degree of rotation can alter the visibility of structures and lead to misinterpretation.