Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

This course is the third in a series of four courses on radiographic positioning. Radiographic Positioning III is required as part of the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Radiography and is a prerequisite for examination by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology for certification in Radiography. Transferability of credit depends entirely upon the institution to which the student elects to transfer. The radiographic positions taught in this course are frequent examinations employed in any radiology department.

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Apply basic radiographic positioning techniques to capture images of the bony thorax, skull, paranasal sinuses, facial bones, and mandible.

2. Evaluate radiographic images of the bony thorax, skull, paranasal sinuses, facial bones, and mandible for diagnostic quality.

1. This course will cover patient and equipment positioning, anatomy, osteology, pathology, and anomalies pertinent to radiography of the areas being studied.

2. Lecture, discussion, and demonstration are the means by which the material for this course is presented and practiced. Small group work and student presentation may be required.

3. The laboratory portion that accompanies this course requires the student to image phantoms, utilize peer positioning, participate in image critique, anatomical identification, and pathological discussion.

4. Class attendance is required to receive a grade in this course for both lecture and lab.

5. Full participation in lab activities is required to receive credit for lab attendance. This includes being present and active in all lab rotations, including peer positioning and being positioned by a peer.

6. Various media are used in presenting the course content. Diagrams, schematics, slides, videos, and other visual aids are used in the lecture/discussion sessions. These sessions are designed to be relevant to the skills and knowledge the student will need in the application of radiological imaging.

7. There may be reading assignments from required textbooks, outside reading assignments, image critique, anatomical identification, and class projects.

8. Safety is extremely important. Pertinent safety points are taught and assessed throughout this course.

1. Please contact the department director or the Office of Students with Disabilities, Sylvania ST 229, if you have a disability so that appropriate accommodations can be made for your course of study.

1. Produce diagnostic images of anatomical structures using selected positions.

2. Critique images using a systematic approach.

3. Simulate randomly chosen radiographic exams to demonstrate competency. Elements of these competency demonstrations include, but are not limited to: accurate positioning and equipment usage, exam safety, timely completion, cleanliness and hygiene, appropriate patient communication, and professional conduct

Themes Concepts & Issues:
1.0 Bony Thorax
    1.1 General Osteology
    1.2 Radiographic Positioning and Pathology
    1.3 Anatomical Identification and Image Critique

2 Baselines
    2.1 Definitions
2 Skull
    3.1 Osteology
    3.2 Positioning and Pathology
    3.3 Sectional Anatomy
    3.4 Pediatrics
    3.5 Image Critique
4 Sella Turcica
    4.1 Osteology
    4.2 Positioning and Pathology
    4.3 Sectional Anatomy
    4.4 Image Critique
5 Paranasal Sinuses
    5.1 Osteology
    5.2 Positioning and Pathology
    5.3 Sectional Anatomy
    5.4 Image Critique
6 Orbits and Optic Foramen
    6.1 Osteology
    6.2 Positioning and Pathology
    6.3 Sectional Anatomy
    6.4 Image Critique
7 Facial Bones
    7.1 Osteology
    7.2 Positioning and Pathology
    7.3 Sectional Anatomy
    7.4 Image Critique
8 Mandible and Temporomandibular Joints
    8.1 Osteology
    8.2 Positioning and Pathology
    8.3 Sectional Anatomy
    8.4 Image Critique
9 Temporal Bone, Ear and Mastoid
    9.1 Osteology
    9.2 Positioning and Pathology
    9.3 Sectional Anatomy
    9.4 Image Critique

Process Skills:

1. Competently perform radiographic exams on listed body regions including entire workflow

2. Evaluate and identify radiographic anatomy.

3. Assess diagnostic image quality.

4. Modify positioning and/or technical factors.

5. Analyze the effect of pathology as it relates to patient care and the production of the image.

6. Communicate appropriately and constructively with the patient.

7. Utilize safe transfer techniques.

8. Practice appropriate radiation safety techniques for personnel and patients.