The Elbow
The Views….
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AP
Lateral
Medial (internal) Oblique
Lateral (external) Oblique
General things to know about
The Elbow
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Cassette Size: 10 x 12 cross wise
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Divided in half
Shield: on lap!
Marker
Measures 7
64@6
The AP….
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Patient seated at end of table
Extend arm until Elbow is FULLY extended
Supinate the hand
Align entire arm in same plane.
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Note: the patient might have to lean forward for a true
“AP”
Mid elbow to the middle of cassette
CR middle of elbow
SID 40
Collimate to skin borders
The AP…. Contd
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Seen on the Radiograph:
-Elbow joint open
-proximal radius and ulna and distal humerus
- No rotation
- The radial head, neck, and tuberosity
slightly superimposed by ulna or separated
The Lateral View
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Flew elbow 90 degrees,
Place thumb up for a true lateral wrist
align entire arm in the same place
Center mid elbow to center of IR.
CR is mid-elbow
SID 40
The Lateral…. Contd.
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Seen on Radiograph:
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Lateral Distal Humerus,
Proximal Radius and ulna
Olecranon Process
The Medial (internal) Oblique
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Extend arm fully, place entire arm in the same
plane.
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Pronate the hand
line between epi-condyles forms a 45
degrees
CR is Mid-Elbow
SID 40
The Medial… Contd.
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Seen on the Radiograph:
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Radial head and neck superimposed over the center
of proximal ulna.
The olecranon process seated in its fossa
The medial epi-condyle appears elongated
Coroniod process in profile
The Lateral (external) Oblique
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Placement: extend arm fully,
place entire arm in the same plane.
Supernate the hand.
Rotate the entire arm and body laterally until a 45 degree
obtained with epi-cdondyles
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Central Ray: Perpendicular to mid joint of elbow.
SID 40
The Lateral (external) Oblique
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Seen on Radiograph:
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Tuberosity and radial neck are free of any imposition
Distal humerus and proximal forearm
The capitulum and lateral epi-condyle is elongated
and in profile
The Forearm
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2 views: AP and Lateral
Measures 8
62@8
Measure
Mark
Shield
General things you need to know about
The Forearm….
•Cassette Size: 11 x14 or 14x 17
•Divided in half LW
The AP view 
• Placement: straighten the entire forearm
•supinate the hand.
• Drop the shoulder so the entire arm is on the same
plain.
•Center forearm to the center of cassette.
• Must Include both joints.
CR is Mid-Arm
SID 40
The AP… Contd
• Seen on Radiograph:
•The entire forearm along with both joints
•The radial head, neck tuberosity should be
imposed by the ulna
•The humeral epi-condyles in profile
The Lateral…
• Flex the elbow 90 degrees and center the forearm
to film.
•Turn the thumb up to ensure true lateral of the
wrist.
•Place the entire upper arm in the same plane
•You will turn cassette to match the finger
placement
CR Mid-Arm
SID 40
The lateral view.. 
contd.
• Seen on Radiograph:
•The entire forearm along with both joints.
•The radius and ulna superimposed
•The humeral epi-condyles superimposed
•Radila tuberosity in profile