CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What is best demonstrated on the left anterior oblique view of the L-spine?

1. Left zygapophyseal joints

2. Right zygapophyseal joints

3. Anterior vertebral bodies

4. Spinal processes

The correct answer is: Right zygapophyseal joints

The left anterior oblique view of the lumbar spine is particularly useful for visualizing the right zygapophyseal joints. In this position, the x-ray beam is directed perpendicularly to the right zygapophyseal joints, allowing for optimal clarity and detail. This view enhances the visualization of joint spaces, which is critical for evaluating conditions such as arthritis, joint degeneration, or misalignment that may affect the zygapophyseal joints on the right side. The oblique positioning creates an angle that opens up the joint spaces; therefore, if a radiologist is examining the right zygapophyseal joints, this view provides a direct line of sight. The intricacies of zygapophyseal joint anatomy are better appreciated with the patient in this orientation, highlighting potential pathology more effectively than in other views. Other anatomical structures, such as the anterior vertebral bodies, spinal processes, and the left zygapophyseal joints, may not be as clearly visualized in this position, making them less relevant for the specific inquiry of which structures are best demonstrated in the left anterior oblique view.