Film: 8 x 10 (18 x 24 cm)

Position of patient

• patient in lateral position, either seated or standing, before a vertical grid device.
• adjust the height of the cassette at the center level of the 4^th cervical segment.

Position of part

• center the coronal plane passing through the tips o the mastoid processes to the midline of the film.

• move the patient close enough to the stand to permit the patient to rest the adjacent shoulder against it for support.
• rotate the shoulders anteriorly or superiorly
• if the patient is round shouldered, rotate them anteriorly; otherwise , rotate them posteriorly.
• depressed the shoulders and immobilize them by having the patient hold the one equal small sand bag in each hand.
• if the patient is seated under the rungs f the stool, have the patient grasp one end of the gauze in each hand and pull.
• adjust the body in a true lateral position.
• elevate the chin slightly to prevent superimposition of the mandibular rami and the spine.
• ask the patient to look steadily at one spot on the wall to aid in maintaining the position of the head.
• respiration is suspended to obtain maximum depression of the shoulders

Central ray

• direct the CR horizontally to the 4h cervical vertebra.

Structure shown

• this method presents a lateral position of the cervical bodies and their interspaces, the articular pillars, the lower five articular facets, and the spinous processes.