Head Section Procedures Overview

Oct 5, 2024

Review flashcards

Lecture Notes: Head Section Procedures

Overview

  • Focus on 18 questions related to the head section.
  • Important areas: Positioning of skull, facial bones, sinuses, mandible, zygomatic arches (psychomatic arches), TMJs, nasal bones, orbits.
  • Key tip: Know positioning lines and landmark separations (e.g., seven-degree separation).

Positioning Lines

  • OML, IOML - frequently used.
  • AML, LML - less frequently used.
  • Mental meatal line (MML), EAM - commonly used.

Evaluation & Imaging Techniques

  • Image Evaluation: Rotation, tilt, artifact checks.
  • Sinuses: Key is upright positioning for air-fluid levels.
  • Cross-table lateral view for trauma situations.
  • Feature surges: Key to correct positioning.

Specific Positioning

Skull

  • Caldwell: 15-degree exit through nasion, petrous ridges in the lower third of the orbit.
  • AP Axial Caldwell: Reverse for trauma, central ray direction based on patient position (PA or AP).
  • Townes: 30 degrees for OML, 37 degrees for IOML.
  • Lateral Skull: Center 2 inches above EAM, focus on sella turcica.
  • PA Axial Haas: Alternative for kyphotic patients, shows occipital bone.

Facial Bones

  • Waters: Focus on MML, chin up position, ridges in lower third for Caldwell.
  • Sinuses: Upright positioning, avoid phototiming to prevent overexposure.
  • Open Mouth Waters: Alternative for SMB.

Mandible

  • PA Mandible: Use OML, exit lips.
  • Townes for Mandible: Angles are 35 and 42 degrees.
  • Obliques: 25-degree cephalic angle, true lateral for ramus, 30 degrees for body, 45 degrees for mentum.

TMJs

  • Focus on open and closed mouth views.

Zygomatic Arches & Other Areas

  • SMV position for zygomatic arches.
  • TART method: Turn away, rotate towards.
  • Nasal Bones: Use Waters, Caldwell views, prefer non-grid.
  • Orbits: Reese view not commonly listed but similar to facial bones setups.

Study Tips

  • Create a positioning chart to remember which headwork uses lateral, Caldwell, AP or PA, Townes, Waters, etc.
  • Identify the location of petrous ridges for each position.
  • Use visualization techniques like "Malhala" or "Hang Ten" for feature surges.
  • Continual practice and self-testing to reinforce memory of anatomical structures and positioning.

This summary provides a structured reference for head section procedures, focusing on key positioning, evaluation, and anatomical details critical for exams.