Adequacy/Alignment

Adequacy

An adequate image should includethe entire cervical spine from the occipital condyles to the top of T1 vertebral body.

You should also ensure that there is adequate exposure of the spinous processes and the soft tissues anterior to the vertebral bodies.

Alignment

To check alignment, four lines should be drawn

1. Anterior aspect of the vertebral body – this marks the line of the anterior longitudinal ligament
2. Posterior aspect of the vertebral body – this marks the line of the posterior longitudinal ligament and is the anterior limit of the spinal canal
3. Spino-laminar line – the junction of the laminae and the spinous processes. This is also the posterior limit of the spinal canal
4. Spinous process line

Click on the x-ray to enlarge.