Mandible PA
Position the Patient
- Prone or upright
- Head straight, no rotation or tilt (MSP perpendicular)
- Forehead and nose firmly against IR (OML perpendicular)
- Center mouth area to IR
Words That Work
“Stand facing the board and place your forehead and nose against it. Keep your head straight—like looking directly ahead—and don’t let it turn or tilt. I’ll make a small adjustment so both sides of your jaw are positioned evenly. Close your mouth, hold still, and don’t move.”
PA mandible positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- Exit at center of mouth (acanthion)
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Mandible
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 70-80 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Rotation (both sides of mandible not even)
- •Entire mandible not included
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Entire mandible
- Rami and body
- Symphysis region
Does the image pass?
- ✓Entire mandible included
- ✓No rotation (symmetry of rami)
- ✓Sharp bone detail