Cervical Spine X-Ray AP

Cervical vertebral bodies C3–C7, intervertebral spaces and spinous processes.

Patient standing or seated with back against the detector.
Chin slightly raised to avoid mandibular superimposition on C1–C2.
Central ray: angled 15–20° cranially to follow the oblique plane of the cervical spine.
Symmetrical alignment.

C4 (thyroid cartilage)

C3–C7 visualised.
Intervertebral spaces open and visible.
Spinous processes centred.
No rotation.

Ask the patient not to swallow during exposure.
C1–C2 better visualised with the open-mouth (odontoid) view.
Cranial angulation essential to open the disc spaces.