CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

When imaging a cross-table lateral hip, where is the image receptor placed in relation to the femoral neck?

1. Perpendicular

2. Parallel

3. Below

4. Above

The correct answer is: Parallel

In imaging a cross-table lateral hip, the image receptor is placed parallel to the femoral neck. This positioning is essential because it accommodates the hip joint's anatomy and ensures that the laser alignment and field of view capture the relevant structures, such as the acetabulum, femoral head, and neck of the femur, in optimal detail. By placing the receptor parallel to the femoral neck, radiographers can achieve a more accurate representation of the hip joint, reducing distortion and allowing for better diagnostic assessment. Placing the image receptor perpendicular to the femoral neck would not align well with the orientation of the hip joint structures, potentially leading to foreshortening and a lack of detail in the image. Similarly, positioning the receptor either above or below the femoral neck could result in the important anatomical details being compromised or improperly visualized. Hence, parallel placement is the preferred technique in this imaging scenario.