Scapula AP
Position the Patient
- Seated or standing
- Abduct arm 90° (stop sign position)
- Flex elbow
- Supinate hand (palm up)
- This moves scapula laterally and off the thorax
Words That Work
“Raise the affected arm straight out to the side at shoulder height, then bend your elbow so your fingers point toward the ceiling—like making half of a goalpost. This moves your shoulder blade outward so we can see it more clearly. Keep your back against the board and hold still.”
AP scapula positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- 2" inferior to coracoid process; Center to mid‑scapula
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Entire scapula
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 70-75 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Arm not abducted (scapula superimposed over ribs)
- •Entire scapula not included
- •Rotation
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Entire scapula
- Lateral border free of ribs
- Acromion and inferior angle
Does the image pass?
- ✓Scapula not superimposed over ribs
- ✓Arm abducted to clear scapula
- ✓Entire scapula included