T-spine X-ray positioning
How to position for each of the 4 T-spine X-ray views: where the patient goes, where to centre, which receptor and distance to use, and what a good image looks like.
By the ScanFlo Editorial Team · Updated
In this section · X-ray positioning
- X-ray positioning guides
- Skull positioning
- Face & sinuses positioning
- Soft tissue neck positioning
- C-spine positioning
- Chest positioning
- Shoulder positioning
- Humerus positioning
- Elbow positioning
- Forearm positioning
- Wrist positioning
- Hand positioning
- T-spine positioning
- Abdomen positioning
- L-spine positioning
- Sacrum & SI joints positioning
- Pelvis positioning
- Hip positioning
- Femur positioning
- Knee positioning
- Tibia & fibula positioning
- Ankle positioning
- Foot positioning
X-ray positioning/T-spine
The routine T-spine views are Thoracic spine AP and Thoracic spine lateral. Thoracolumbar spine AP and Thoracolumbar spine lateral come in when you need to answer a particular question, or when the patient can't manage a routine view. Each guide walks you through the set-up step by step, with a short video, exposure settings for different patient sizes and what a good image should show.
A radiographer is still checking these guides.
Routine views
Extra views
All views in this region
- Thoracic spine AP
- Thoracic spine lateral
- Thoracolumbar spine AP
- Thoracolumbar spine lateral
Quick reference
Where to centre, how far and which receptor, for every t-spine view at a glance. Open a guide for the full set-up.
| Projection | Centre on | SID | Receptor | Breathing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thoracic spine AP | T6, midway between the jugular notch and xiphoid | 100 cm | 18×43 portrait, grid | Suspend respiration |
| Thoracic spine lateral | T7, through the mid-axillary line | 100 cm | 18×43 portrait, grid | Quiet breathing |
| Thoracolumbar spine AP | T12 | 100 cm | 35×43 portrait, grid | Breathe out and hold |
| Thoracolumbar spine lateral | T12 | 100 cm | 35×43 portrait, grid | Breathe out and hold |
Mistakes that lead to repeats
- Upper spine burnt out on the thoracic spine AP: place the cathode toward the feet.
- Ribs sharp over the bodies on the thoracic spine lateral: use quiet breathing with a longer exposure.
- Junction off-centre on the thoracolumbar spine AP: centre at T12.
- Rotation on the thoracolumbar spine lateral: square the hips and shoulders.
Common questions
- Which T-spine views are routine?
- Usually Thoracic spine AP and Thoracic spine lateral.
- What distance (SID) do T-spine X-rays use?
- 100 cm for every T-spine view here.
- Do T-spine X-rays need a grid?
- Yes, every view here is taken with a grid.
Try it in ScanFlo: the ScanFlo XR X-ray Room, coming soon, lets you set up every t-spine projection in a 3D room and score your positioning. See ScanFlo XR →