CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What is best demonstrated on a right posterior oblique (RPO) C-spine view?

1. Right intervertebral foramina

2. Left intervertebral foramina

3. Cervical spine alignment

4. Suboccipital region

The correct answer is: Left intervertebral foramina

In a right posterior oblique (RPO) view of the cervical spine, the orientation of the patient and the x-ray beam allows for optimal visualization of the right intervertebral foramina. When the patient is positioned in an RPO orientation, the right side of the cervical vertebrae is angled away from the x-ray beam, which reduces superimposition and provides a clearer view of the foramina on the right side. This view is particularly beneficial for assessing the foramina for any potential stenosis, disc herniations, or other pathologies that could affect the exit of nerve roots. The positioning allows for better visualization of the neurovascular structures that traverse through these foramina. While the alignment of the cervical spine is always critical, the specific feature best demonstrated in the RPO view is the right intervertebral foramina, making this option the most accurate choice.