1 What organs are studied during an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series? The esophagus, stomach, and duodenum are studied. The radiologist evaluates the morphology and motility of these organs. 2 What organs are studied during a pharyngoesophagogram? The radiologist evaluates the…
1 What is a “flat plate” of the abdomen? Flat plate is a historical term that refers to a past method of radiography when radiographs were recorded on flat plates of glass coated with an emulsion sensitive to x-rays. This…
1 What is the radiographic appearance of an endotracheal tube (ETT), and where is it optimally placed? An ETT usually appears as a faintly radiopaque tube with a thin, densely radiopaque line along its length, and its position should be…
1 Describe the normal pleural anatomy and physiologic features. The pleural space is a potential space that contains 2 to 10 mL of pleural fluid between the visceral and parietal pleural layers that essentially represents interstitial fluid from the parietal pleura…
1 Describe the anatomy of the mediastinum. The mediastinum is located centrally within the thorax between the pleural cavities laterally, the sternum anteriorly, the spine posteriorly, the thoracic inlet superiorly, and the diaphragm inferiorly. It is usually divided into anterior,…
1 What radiographic features distinguish interstitial diseases from airspace diseases? Two primary characteristics radiographically distinguish interstitial diseases from airspace diseases. First, interstitial diseases displace little of the air within the lung, whereas airspace diseases displace large amounts of air. Interstitial…
1 What is the difference between a pulmonary acinus and a secondary pulmonary lobule? The acinus (Latin for “berry”) is a structural unit of the lung distal to a terminal bronchiole, supplied by first-order respiratory bronchioles, which contains alveolar ducts…
1 What is a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN)? An SPN is a solitary focal lesion in the lung that measures 3 cm or less. A solitary focal lesion that is greater than 3 cm is considered to be a mass, and most…
1 What are the clinical indications for computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of the peripheral and visceral arteries? CTA and MRA are noninvasive methods of assessing the arteries and veins, which have all but replaced catheter…
1 What is the normal appearance of the pulmonary vessels on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)? The main pulmonary artery originates from the right ventricular outflow tract, anterior and to the left of the aortic root, and…