ELBOW

PROJECTION FILM SIZE PATIENT POSITION PART POSITION RP AND CR STRUCTURE SHOWN EVALUATION CRITERIA

AP PROJECTION 8x10” LW Seated low enough to - Extend the elbow, RP: Elbow Joint AP projection of the elbow joint, - Evidence of proper
place the shoulder supinate the hand, distal arm, and proximal forearm collimation
joint, humerus, and and center the IR CR: is presented
elbow joint in the same to the elbow joint Perpendicular - Radial head, neck, and
plane - Have the patient tuberosity slightly
lean laterally until superimposed over the
the humeral proximal ulna
epicondyles and - Elbow joint open and
anterior surface of centered to the central
the elbow is ray
parallel with the - No rotation of humeral
plane of the IR
epicondyles (coronoid
and olecranon fossae
approximately equidistant
to epicondyles)
- Soft tissue and bony
trabecular detail

LATERAL PROJECTION 8x10” LW Seated low enough to - Flex the elbow 90 RP: Elbow Joint The elbow joint, distal arm, and - Evidence of proper
place the humerus and degrees proximal forearm collimation
elbow joint in the same CR:
plane
o When injury to Perpendicular This allows the olecranon - Elbow joint open and
the soft tissue process to be in profile and centered to the central
around the does not compress the elbow fat ray
elbow is pads - Elbow in a true lateral
suspected, position:
the joint o Superimposed
should be
humeral epicondyles
flexed only 30
o Radial tuberosity
to 35 degrees
facing anteriorly
- Adjust the hand in o Radial head partially
the lateral position superimposing the
and ensure that the coronoid process
humeral o Olecranon process
epicondyles are in profile
perpendicular to
the IR - Elbow flexed 90 degrees
- Bony trabecular detail
and any elevated fat pads
in the soft tissue at the
anterior and posterior
distal humerus and the
anterior proximal forearm

AP OBLIQUE PROJECTION – 8x10” LW Seated, with arms - Place the limb in RP: Elbow Joint An oblique projection of the - Evidence of proper
MEDIAL ROTATION extended and in position for an AP elbow with the coronoid process
collimation
projected free of
 contact with the table projection and CR: superimposition - Elbow joint open and
medially rotate or Perpendicular
This clears the coronoid process centered to the central
pronate the hand
of the radial head ray
- Adjust the elbow to
place its anterior
- 45-degree medial rotation
surface at an angle of elbow:
of 45 degrees o Coronoid process in
profile
o Elongated medial
humeral epicondyle
o Ulna superimposed
by the radial head
and neck
- Trochlea
- Olecranon process within
the olecranon fossa
- Soft tissue and bony
trabecular detail

AP OBLIQUE PROJECTION – 8x10” LW Seated, with arms - Place the limb in RP: Elbow Joint An oblique projection of the - Evidence of proper
LATERAL ROTATION extended and in position for an AP elbow with the radial head and
CR: collimation
contact with the table projection and neck projected free of
laterally rotate or
Perpendicular superimposition of the ulna - Elbow joint open and
pronate the hand centered to the central
ray
- Adjust the elbow to
place its posterior - 45-degree lateral rotation
surface at an angle of elbow:
of 45 degree o Radial head, neck,
and tuberosity
projected free of the
ulna
o Elongated lateral
humeral epicondyle
- Capitulum
- Soft tissue and bony
trabecular detail