Body Movement
Radiographic Projections
Abduction: Movement of a limb or body part farther from
Anteroposterior (AP) Projection: The patient is either
or away from the midline of the body
supine (face up) on the radiographic table or erect with
their back against a vertical grid device. The x‐ray beam
Adduction: Movement of a limb or body part closer to or
enters the front (anterior) surface of the body and exits
toward the midline of the body
the back (posterior) surface
Extension: Straightening of a joint or extremity so that the
Posteroanterior (PA) Projection: The patient is either
angle between contiguous (adjoining) bones is increased
prone (face down) on the radiographic table or erect
facing the vertical grid device. The x‐ray beam enters the
Flexion: Bending of a joint or extremity so that the angle
back (posterior) surface of the body and exits the front
between contiguous (adjoining) bones is decreased
(anterior) surface
Eversion: Movement of turning a body part outward (away
Lateral Projection: The patient is lying on either side on
from the midline)
the radiographic table (lateral decubitus) or standing with
either side against a vertical grid device. The lateral
Inversion: Movement of turning a body part inward
projection is always named by the side of the patient that
(toward the midline)
is placed next to the film
Pronation: Movement of turning the body to face
Oblique Projection: The patient is rotated into a position
downward or turning the hand so that the palm is facing
that does not produce either a frontal (AP or PA) or lateral
downward
projection
Supination: Movement of turning the body to face upward
or turning the hand so that the palm is facing upward
Chiropractic Concepts
Static Listing: A concept that analyzes the position
Positioning Terminology
(alignment) of one bone relative to what is considered its
correct position.
Anatomic Position: The position of the body when the
subject is facing the front in the erect position with the
Every bone is assigned a reference point (i.e., in a
arms and legs fully extended. The palms of the hands are
vertebrae, the vertebral body is commonly used as its
facing forward and the feet are together.
reference point).
Supine Position: Position in which the subject is lying on
The listing describes the position of the bone’s reference
the back with the face up
point relative to its correct position.
Prone Position: Position in which the subject is lying face
For example, in the listing – L4 right rotation malposition –
down on the front of the body
the position (alignment) of the body of the fourth lumbar
vertebrae is rotated to the right of the position it should
Lateral Decubitus (Recumbent) Position: The position of
normally be found in. Your goal as a chiropractor would be
the body when the subject is lying on their side. The lateral
to contact that vertebrae and adjust it in such a way as to
position is named by the side that situated against the
place it back into its correct position.
table or radiographic table. For a left lateral decubitus
position the patient’s left side is placed against the table or
Motion Listing: A concept that analyzes a bone’s ability to
radiographic table
move in a particular plane of motion.
The listing describes the plane of motion in which the
bone’s (reference point) does not properly move within.
For example, in the listing – L4 right rotation restriction –
the fourth lumbar vertebrae does not properly move
within the plane of right rotation. Your goal as a
chiropractor would be to contact that vertebrae and adjust
it in such a way as to restore normal motion in the plane of
right rotation.
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