CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

Which condition is characterized by "flattening" of the hemidiaphragms?

1. Emphysema

2. Empyema

3. Atelectasis

4. Pneumonia

The correct answer is: Emphysema

The condition characterized by "flattening" of the hemidiaphragms is emphysema. This is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that results in the destruction of the alveoli in the lungs, leading to an expanded lung volume and a decreased ability to exhale completely. This hyperinflation of the lungs causes the diaphragm to flatten, rather than maintain its normal dome shape during respiration. As a result, on a chest X-ray, this flattened appearance of the hemidiaphragms becomes a significant radiographic feature indicative of emphysema. In contrast, empyema involves the collection of pus in the pleural space, which typically affects the appearance of the pleura and could lead to a blunted costophrenic angle, but does not directly cause diaphragmatic flattening. Atelectasis refers to the collapse of part or all of a lung, which causes the affected hemidiaphragm to be elevated rather than flattened. Pneumonia is characterized by infection and inflammation in the lungs, which may show consolidation but does not specifically lead to the flattening of the hemidiaphragms. Thus, the appropriate choice reflecting the characteristic flattening observed in emphysema