Anatomy and Pathology for Radiographers Flashcards

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

Answer: Right atrium

On a PA chest radiograph, the right heart border is formed primarily by the right atrium in its lower portion, with the superior vena cava (SVC) forming the upper right border.

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

Answer: Lobar consolidation with fissure boundary

Lobar consolidation stopping sharply at an interlobar fissure is the hallmark of lobar pneumonia — the sharp border is created by the fissure acting as an anatomic boundary for the infection.

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

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

The lateral lumbar spine radiograph demonstrates the L4-L5 disc space between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebral bodies, surrounded by the vertebral endplates and posterior elements.

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

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

Air bronchograms are visible because surrounding alveoli are fluid-filled (consolidated) while bronchi remain air-filled, creating contrast. This confirms alveolar consolidation rather than pleural or atelectatic disease.

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

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

Increased radiodensity (whiteness) in bone represents sclerosis — increased calcium deposition or trabecular thickening — seen in osteoblastic processes like prostate cancer metastases, Paget's disease, and bone healing.

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

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

The silhouette sign localizes disease — when an opacity is in contact with a normally visible structure (e.g., right heart border), the interface disappears, indicating the disease is in the adjacent lung lobe.