In an AP decubitus projection, the patient is positioned or lying on which body surface?

In an AP decubitus projection, the patient is positioned or lying on which body surface?

• A. Dorsal
• B. Ventral
• C. Lateral
• D. Proximal

Answer: (C)

AP decubitus uses a horizontal beam with the patient lying on their side, so the surface in contact with the table is the lateral aspect. Putting the patient on the lateral surface allows the x-ray to pass from anterior to posterior in this setup, which is what AP decubitus describes. Dorsal or ventral decubitus would place the patient on the back or abdomen, not on the lateral surface, and proximal isn’t a surface description.

AP decubitus uses a horizontal beam with the patient lying on their side, so the surface in contact with the table is the lateral aspect. Putting the patient on the lateral surface allows the x-ray to pass from anterior to posterior in this setup, which is what AP decubitus describes. Dorsal or ventral decubitus would place the patient on the back or abdomen, not on the lateral surface, and proximal isn’t a surface description.