CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What anatomical feature is key to identifying rotation on a Caldwell view?

1. Distance between lateral borders of the skull

2. Size of the orbits

3. Shape of the mandible

4. Proportion of nasal structures

The correct answer is: Distance between lateral borders of the skull

The distance between the lateral borders of the skull is crucial for identifying rotation on a Caldwell view because this imaging technique specifically requires proper positioning of the patient’s skull to ensure accurate depiction of the cranial structures. In a correctly positioned Caldwell view, the petrous ridges should project into the lower third of the orbits and the lateral margins of the skull should appear symmetrical. If there is rotation, the lateral borders will not maintain an even spacing, which will manifest as an unequal distance between the lateral edges of the skull in the image. This can lead to misinterpretation of the skull's alignment and the positioning of the cranial sutures, affecting diagnosis. While the size of the orbits, shape of the mandible, and proportion of nasal structures are also important for assessing craniofacial anatomy, they are not as directly indicative of rotation in the Caldwell view as the distance between the lateral borders of the skull. In evaluating a radiographic image for rotation, health professionals rely primarily on the symmetry of the skull's lateral borders.