CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

When the sternum is demonstrated next to the vertebral column, what does this indicate?

1. Correctly rotated

2. Insufficiently rotated

3. Excessively rotated

4. Perfectly positioned

The correct answer is: Insufficiently rotated

When the sternum is demonstrated next to the vertebral column, it indicates that the patient is insufficiently rotated during the imaging process. In a well-rotated view, the sternum should be projected away from the spine, allowing for a clearer separation between these two structures. Proper rotation is essential in radiography to achieve an optimal image and to minimize superimposition of the sternum and vertebrae, which can obscure anatomical details and hinder diagnostic accuracy. Insufficient rotation fails to provide the necessary angle, resulting in an image where the sternum remains adjacent to the vertebral column. This proximity suggests that more rotation could have been applied to achieve a better perspective of the sternum, thereby enhancing its visibility and clarity on the radiograph.