Shoulder Y-View
Position the Patient
- Seated or standing
- Rotate patient 45-60° toward affected side
- Palpate scapula to ensure true lateral
- Keep arm neutral (no rotation)
Words That Work
“Stand with your affected shoulder against the board. I’m going to turn your body slightly until that shoulder blade is seen from the side—like taking a profile picture of it. Let your arm hang naturally, relax your shoulder, and hold still.”
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Y-view shoulder positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- Scapulohumeral joint
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Entire scapula and proximal humerus
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 70-75 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Insufficient body rotation (scapula body not superimposed)
- •Arm rotated instead of kept neutral
- •Humeral head not centered over scapular Y
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Scapula in true lateral (Y shape)
- Humeral head
- Glenoid region
Does the image pass?
- ✓True lateral scapula (body superimposed)
- ✓Humeral head centered over Y
- ✓Demonstrates dislocation if present