American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Certification (ARRT) Radiographic Procedures and Anatomy Syllabus

Radiographic Procedures and Anatomy syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Radiographic Procedures and Anatomy in American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Certification (ARRT), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Terminology, Positioning Principles, and Anatomy

   4 topics

   • Radiographic and positioning terminology
     • Body planes, surfaces, and movements
     • Projection and position terminology
   • General positioning principles and routines
   • Systemic anatomy review
     • Skeletal system
     • Organ systems and body cavities
   • Surface landmarks and topographic anatomy
2. 2

   Thorax and Abdomen

   4 topics

   • Chest projections
     • PA, lateral, and oblique chest
     • Decubitus and apical projections
   • Bony thorax
     • Ribs and sternum
     • Sternoclavicular joints
   • Abdomen projections
     • Supine (KUB) and upright abdomen
     • Acute abdomen series
   • Soft tissue and airway anatomy
3. 3

   Upper and Lower Extremities

   4 topics

   • Upper extremity projections
     • Hand, wrist, and forearm
     • Elbow, humerus, and shoulder girdle
   • Lower extremity projections
     • Foot, ankle, and lower leg
     • Knee, femur, and patella
   • Pelvis and hip
     • AP pelvis and hip projections
     • Trauma and post-reduction imaging
   • Joint anatomy and articulations
4. 4

   Spine, Skull, and Head

   4 topics

   • Vertebral column projections
     • Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine
     • Sacrum, coccyx, and scoliosis series
   • Skull and cranial base
     • Cranial baseline lines and positioning
     • Standard skull projections
   • Facial bones and sinuses
     • Orbits, nasal bones, and zygomatic arches
     • Paranasal sinus series
   • Temporal bone and mandible
5. 5

   Contrast and Special Procedures

   5 topics

   • Gastrointestinal studies
     • Esophagram and upper GI series
     • Small bowel and barium enema
   • Urinary system studies
     • Intravenous urography
     • Cystography and retrograde studies
   • Biliary and other contrast studies
     • Cholangiography
     • Arthrography and myelography
   • Mobile, surgical, and trauma radiography
     • Portable chest and abdomen
     • C-arm operation in surgery
     • Trauma positioning adaptations
   • Pediatric radiography considerations

Radiographic Procedures and Anatomy flashcards for American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Certification (ARRT)

19 of 70 cards from the Radiographic Procedures and Anatomy deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In radiographic positioning terminology, what does the AP (anteroposterior) projection describe?

   The central ray enters the anterior surface and exits the posterior surface of the body; the patient typically faces the tube.

2. Define 'projection' versus 'position' in radiography.

   Projection describes the path/direction of the central ray through the body (e.g., AP, PA, lateral); position describes the patient's physical body placement (e.g., supine, erect, oblique, recumbent).

3. What is the difference between an RAO and an LAO position?

   RAO (right anterior oblique) places the right anterior body surface against the IR; LAO (left anterior oblique) places the left anterior surface against the IR. Both are anterior obliques with the patient facing the IR.

4. Differentiate the anatomic terms 'proximal' and 'distal.'

   Proximal means nearer to the point of attachment/trunk; distal means farther from it (e.g., the elbow is proximal to the wrist).

5. What body movement turns the palm down versus up, and which is required for an AP forearm?

   Pronation turns the palm down/posterior; supination turns the palm up/anterior. An AP forearm requires supination.

6. What are the four general evaluation criteria for judging proper positioning on a radiograph?

   Correct anatomy demonstrated; proper part-to-IR alignment with no rotation/distortion; adequate collimation including the entire part; and appropriate exposure (brightness/density and contrast).

7. What is the minimum routine number of projections for most bones and joints, and how are they oriented?

   At least two projections taken 90 degrees (at right angles) to each other, such as AP/PA and lateral. Long bones must include both adjacent joints.

8. State the inverse square law and its effect on radiation intensity.

   Intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance: I1/I2 = (D2)^2/(D1)^2. Doubling the distance reduces intensity to one-fourth.

9. What is the standard SID for a routine PA chest, and why is it used?

   72 inches (180 cm). The long SID minimizes heart magnification and produces sharper detail of the cardiac silhouette.

10. List the levels of structural organization in the human body from simplest to most complex.

    Chemical (atoms/molecules) to cells to tissues to organs to organ systems to the whole organism.

11. Name the four basic tissue types of the body.

    Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue.

12. What are the three planes of the body used in radiographic positioning?

    Sagittal (divides into left/right), coronal/frontal (divides into anterior/posterior), and transverse/axial/horizontal (divides into superior/inferior).

13. Which surface landmark corresponds to the level of the iliac crest?

    The iliac crest is at the level of L4-L5 intervertebral disc space.

14. What vertebral level corresponds to the jugular (suprasternal) notch?

    The jugular notch lies at the level of T2-T3.

15. Which topographic landmark marks the level of the xiphoid process (xiphisternal joint)?

    The xiphoid tip corresponds approximately to T9-T10 (xiphisternal joint at T9).

16. For a PA chest projection, where is the central ray directed and on what respiratory phase is the exposure made?

    CR perpendicular to the level of T7 (inferior scapular angles); exposure on the second full inspiration to maximize lung aeration.

17. What does the lateral decubitus chest position best demonstrate?

    Small amounts of free air (affected side up) or air-fluid levels/pleural effusion (affected side down) in the pleural space.

18. On a properly positioned PA chest, how many posterior ribs should be visible above the diaphragm?

    At least 10 posterior ribs should be demonstrated above the diaphragm, indicating adequate inspiration.

19. What is the function of the AP lordotic (Lindblom) chest projection?

    It demonstrates the lung apices free of superimposition by the clavicles, useful for detecting apical pathology such as tuberculosis or Pancoast tumors.

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