Anatomical Body Positions

*Standing or Erect Position of the body with all anterior surfaces facing forward while the arms are down with palms forward.
Positioning Terms
• Supine - also termed as “dorsal recumbent”
• Prone - also termed as ”ventral recumbent position”
• Right Lateral Recumbent Position - erect or recumbent position at a right angle which is 90 degrees through AP or PA.
• Recumbent Position- any lying position
• Right Posterior Oblique Position (RPO) - right posterior side of the px is nearest the film.
• Left Posterior Oblique Position (LPO) - known as AP oblique Projection.
- Left posterior side of the px is nearest the film, reversed of left anterior oblique.
• Right Anterior Oblique Position (RAO) - or PA oblique projection.
- right anterior side of the px is nearest the film.
• Left Anterior Oblique- also known as PA Oblique.
- left anterior side of the px is nearest the film. A reverse of RPO
• Dorsal Decubitus Position or Lateral Projection - px is supine with central ray passing horizontally from one side of the body to the other.
• Ventral Decubitus - px is prone with CR passing horizontally from one side of the body to the other.
• Left Lateral Decubitus Position or AP Projection - x-ray passes horizontally.
- px is lying on the left side
- CR travels horizontally either from front to back or back to front.
- its purpose is to determine Pleural Effusion or Air-fluid level.
• Trendelenberg - table or bed is positioned so that the px’s head is lower than the feet.
• Fowler’s Position - px’s head is elevated so the elevation may raise 45 - 90 degrees. It is helpful for px’s with respiratory distress.
• Left Sim’s Position - near lateral left anterior oblique with the top leg is in front of the lower leg.