CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

An AP axial C-spine on a kyphotic patient requires what type of angling?

1. Decreased angle

2. No angling

3. Increased angle

4. Variable angle

The correct answer is: Increased angle

In the context of performing an anterior-posterior (AP) axial projection of the cervical spine on a kyphotic patient, increased angling is necessary to compensate for the patient's altered anatomy due to the thoracic kyphosis. Kyphosis typically enhances the curvature of the cervical spine, making it more difficult to align the X-ray beam appropriately to visualize the intervertebral foramina and other relevant anatomical structures. Increasing the tube angle allows the radiographer to direct the X-ray beam perpendicular to the specific anatomical area of interest. This is crucial in kyphotic patients, as their normal cervical lordosis is altered. The increased angle helps to optimize the projection, ensuring that the X-ray beam travels at the correct trajectory for effective imaging of the cervical region while minimizing overlap of adjacent structures. By employing an increased angle, the resulting images can provide clearer details of the cervical vertebrae and associated anatomical features, thereby facilitating better diagnosis and assessment.