ARRT Radiography Practice Test
ARRT Head, Spine & Pelvis Procedures Practice Questions
Head, Spine & Pelvis Procedures makes up 5 of every 50 questions on a Tigertest ARRT practice test. Here are 10 of the 20 questions on it, each with the answer and the reason.
Updated by the Tigertest team. Based on the ARRT Radiography Examination Content Specifications. Original questions; 50 per test, weighted like the real exam. Not affiliated with ARRT.
1. For a PA axial (Caldwell) skull projection, how is the central ray directed?
- A.Perpendicular
- B.15 degrees caudad
- C.15 degrees cephalad
- D.30 degrees caudad
Answer: B. The central ray is angled 15 degrees caudad to the OML and exits at the nasion, placing the petrous ridges in the lower third of the orbits.
2. On a correct PA axial (Caldwell) skull, where should the petrous ridges appear?
- A.Below the maxillary sinuses
- B.Above the orbits
- C.Filling the orbits
- D.Lower third of the orbits
Answer: D. With a 15-degree caudal angle the petrous ridges project into the lower third of the orbits. With no angle they fill the orbits.
3. For an AP axial (Towne) skull with the OML perpendicular, the central ray is angled:
- A.30 degrees caudad
- B.45 degrees caudad
- C.15 degrees cephalad
- D.37 degrees cephalad
Answer: A. Towne uses 30 degrees caudad to the OML (37 to the IOML). The dorsum sellae and posterior clinoids project within the foramen magnum.
4. For a parietoacanthial (Waters) projection, which line is perpendicular to the image receptor?
- A.Infraorbitomeatal line
- B.Glabellomeatal line
- C.Mentomeatal line
- D.Orbitomeatal line
Answer: C. The chin is raised so the OML forms 37 degrees with the receptor and the mentomeatal line is perpendicular, moving the petrous ridges below the maxillary sinuses.
5. For a submentovertex (SMV) projection, which line is parallel to the image receptor?
- A.Acanthiomeatal line
- B.Mentomeatal line
- C.IOML
- D.OML
Answer: C. The neck is hyperextended until the IOML is parallel to the receptor, and the central ray is perpendicular to the IOML.
6. Why are paranasal sinuses imaged upright with a horizontal beam?
- A.To show air-fluid levels
- B.To open the sinus ostia
- C.To avoid the petrous ridges
- D.To reduce patient dose
Answer: A. Fluid layers only show as a horizontal level when the beam is horizontal and the patient upright long enough for fluid to settle.
7. For a lateral skull, which line is placed perpendicular to the image receptor?
- A.Infraorbitomeatal line
- B.Orbitomeatal line
- C.Acanthiomeatal line
- D.Interpupillary line
Answer: D. The midsagittal plane is parallel and the interpupillary line perpendicular to the receptor, so the orbital roofs and mandibular rami superimpose. The IOML stays parallel to the transverse axis of the receptor.
8. Which projection shows the optic foramen in the lower outer quadrant of the orbit?
- A.Lateral skull
- B.Rhese method
- C.PA axial (Caldwell)
- D.AP axial (Towne)
Answer: B. In the Rhese method the midsagittal plane forms 53 degrees with the receptor, so the optic foramen projects end-on in the lower outer quadrant of the orbit.
9. For an AP axial cervical spine, the central ray is angled:
- A.Perpendicular
- B.15 to 20 degrees cephalad
- C.15 to 20 degrees caudad
- D.45 degrees cephalad
Answer: B. A cephalic angle of 15 to 20 degrees opens the intervertebral disk spaces of C3 to C7, entering at C4.
10. On an AP oblique cervical spine (posterior oblique), which intervertebral foramina are shown?
- A.Only those of C1 and C2
- B.Both sides equally
- C.The side closer to the IR
- D.The side farther away
Answer: D. Posterior obliques with a 15 to 20 degree cephalic angle show the foramina on the side up, away from the receptor. Anterior obliques show the side down.
Practice all 20 head, spine & pelvis procedures questions, and the rest of the 200-question bank, in the free ARRT training sets. Questions you miss come back until you have mastered them.
Start practicingFree to start. No account needed.