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Thoracic Spine AP
Position the Patient
- Upright or supine
- Shoulders level
- Arms at sides
- Mid-sagittal plane centered to IR
Words That Work
“Stand straight with your back against the board and your arms relaxed at your sides. Keep your shoulders level and your weight even on both feet. Look straight ahead and raise your chin slightly so it doesn’t cover the top of your spine. I’ll center the image over the middle of your upper back. Breathe all the way out, hold it, and stay still.”
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AP thoracic spine positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- T7 (3–4" below jugular notch)
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- C7-L1
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 75-85 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Rotation (spinous processes not centered)
- •Entire thoracic spine not included (C7-L1)
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- C7-L1 vertebrae
- Intervertebral disk spaces
Does the image pass?
- ✓Spinous processes centered
- ✓No rotation (SC joints equidistant from midline)
- ✓Entire thoracic spine included