Chest X Ray Normal Reading. One should barely see the thoracic vertebrae behind the heart. The chest x ray is the most frequently requested radiologic examination.
In this article we will focus on. A cardiothoracic ratio of less than 0 5. In fact every radiologst should be an expert in chest film reading.
A well penetrated chest x ray will be one where you can see the vertebrate faintly behind the heart as well as the intersection of the left hemidiaphragm and spine being well demarcated.
Next we will dive into the normal chest x ray findings and normal anatomy revealed with this imaging technique. X ray of the chest also known as a chest radiograph is a commonly used imaging study and is the most frequently performed imaging study in the united states it is almost always the first imaging study ordered to evaluate for pathologies of the thorax although further diagnostic imaging laboratory tests and additional physical examinations may be necessary to help confirm the diagnosis. If the heart base is 1 2 the width of the diaphragm on the chest x ray it refers to cardiomegaly or pericardial effusion. Reading like the pros the keys to reading x rays well are a good understanding of normal anatomy and an orderly search pattern.