Radiography Exam Anatomy and Pathology for Radiographers

Question 1

On a PA chest radiograph, the right heart border is primarily formed by which cardiac structure?

Accepted Answer

Right atrium

Answer

Right ventricle

Answer

Left atrium

Answer

Superior vena cava

Question 2

Which radiographic sign describes the sharply defined density of a lung consolidation that stops abruptly at a lobar fissure, indicating lobar pneumonia?

Accepted Answer

Lobar consolidation with fissure boundary

Answer

Air bronchogram sign

Answer

Silhouette sign

Answer

Hampton's hump

Question 3

On a lateral lumbar spine radiograph, which structures are identified at the L4-L5 intervertebral disc level?

Accepted Answer

The intervertebral disc space between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebral bodies and the posterior elements

Answer

The sacroiliac joint

Answer

The femoral heads

Answer

The intervertebral foramina of thoracic vertebrae

Question 4

The 'air bronchogram sign' on a chest radiograph is significant because it indicates:

Accepted Answer

Air-filled bronchi visible within an area of lung consolidation, confirming the consolidation is air-space (alveolar) disease

Answer

A pneumothorax tracking along a bronchus

Answer

Dilated, air-filled bronchioles in emphysema

Answer

Air within the pleural space

Question 5

Increased radiodensity (opacity) seen on a plain film radiograph in a region of bone indicates:

Accepted Answer

Sclerosis — increased bone density that can be seen in osteoblastic metastases, Paget's disease, or healing fractures

Answer

Lytic destruction of bone

Answer

Normal cortical bone

Answer

Osteoporosis

Question 6

The 'silhouette sign' on a chest radiograph is used to:

Accepted Answer

Localize a lung opacity by identifying loss of normal interface between the opacity and an adjacent structure (heart, diaphragm)

Answer

Identify pneumothorax by the absence of lung markings

Answer

Detect pleural effusion by blunting of the costophrenic angle

Answer

Evaluate aortic size in the mediastinum