Posteroanterior Health Dictionary

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Posteroanterior: From 1 Different Sources

(PA) adj. from the back to the front. In radiography it refers to the direction of the X-ray beam (i.e. from the back to the front of the patient); thus a PA radiograph is taken with the X-ray film in front of the patient. Normally, a chest radiograph will be PA: since the heart is in the front of the chest, its size can be most accurately assessed if the X-ray film is in front of the chest. Compare decubitus; anteroposterior.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Anteroposterior

(AP) adj. from the front to the back. In radiography, AP denotes a radiograph in the *coronal plane taken when the X-ray beam is directed from the front to the back of the patient with the X-ray film or detector at the back to capture the image. Compare decubitus; posteroanterior.... anteroposterior

Decubitus

1. n. the recumbent position. 2. adj. describing a radiograph taken with the patient lying on his or her side and the X-ray beam travelling horizontally. Such films reveal *free gas in the peritoneal cavity following perforation of a hollow organ and *fluid levels in the bowel when it is obstructed. They are commonly used in barium enema examinations. Compare anteroposterior; posteroanterior.... decubitus

Pa

see posteroanterior.... pa

Towne’s Projection

a *posteroanterior X-ray film to show the entire skull and mandible. [E. B. Towne (1883–1957), US otolaryngologist]... towne’s projection

Waters’ Projection

a *posteroanterior X-ray film to show the maxillae, maxillary sinuses, and zygomatic bones. [C. A. Waters (1888–1961), US radiologist]... waters’ projection

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