Master Guide: Head, Skull, PNS & Facial X-Ray Positions | Allied Health Care

Master Guide: All Head, Skull & Facial Radiographic Projections

Group 1: Routine & Basic Skull Projections

Primary views for general cranial vault and bony structure evaluation.

1. AP (Anteroposterior) View

Primary Focus: Frontal bone, cranial vault, and parietal structures.

Central Ray: Perpendicular to Glabella/Nasion.

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2. PA View (Caldwell 0° Baseline)

Primary Focus: Frontal bone, orbital rims, and petrous ridges.

Central Ray: 0° perpendicular exiting at Nasion.

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3. Lateral View (Right/Left)

Primary Focus: Sella Turcica, lateral cranial vault, and skull fractures.

Central Ray: 2 inches superior to EAM.

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4. Towne’s Projection (AP Axial)

Primary Focus: Occipital bone, Dorsum Sellae, and Foramen Magnum.

Central Ray: 30° Caudad to OML.

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Group 2: Facial Bones, Paranasal Sinuses (PNS) & Mandible

Projections targeting PNS cavities, facial structures, nasal profile, zygomatic arches, and mandible.

5. Waters View (Open/Closed Mouth)

Primary Focus: Maxillary Sinuses, Sphenoid Sinus (open mouth), and orbital floor.

Central Ray: Perpendicular exiting at Acanthion.

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6. Caldwell View (15° Caudad – PNS)

Primary Focus: Frontal & Ethmoid Sinuses, Superior Orbital Fissure.

Central Ray: 15° Caudad exiting at Nasion.

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7. Submentovertex (SMV) View

Primary Focus: Base of Skull, Sphenoid sinus, and Zygomatic arches.

Central Ray: Perpendicular to IOML through Submentum.

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8. Lateral View of Nasal Bones

Primary Focus: Nasal bone fractures and soft tissue profile.

Central Ray: Perpendicular to 0.5 inch inferior to Nasion.

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9. PA Axial Mandible (Caldwell Method)

Primary Focus: Mandibular rami and condylar processes.

Central Ray: 20°-25° Cephalad exiting at Acanthion.

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10. Axiolateral Oblique Mandible

Primary Focus: Mandibular body, ramus, and symphysis.

Central Ray: 25° Cephalad passing through region of interest.

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11. Inferosuperior Zygomatic Arch View

Primary Focus: Bilateral Zygomatic Arches (“Jug-Handle View”).

Central Ray: Perpendicular to IOML entering midway between zygomatic arches.

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12. Modified Towne’s (Zygomatic Arches)

Primary Focus: Fractures or medial displacement of zygomatic arches.

Central Ray: 30° Caudad to OML entering 1 inch above Glabella.

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13. Submentovertex (SMV) for Mandible

Primary Focus: Mandibular coronoid and condylar processes, base of mandible.

Central Ray: Perpendicular to IOML centered midway between angles of mandible.

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14. PA Mandible (0° Central Ray)

Primary Focus: Mandibular body and rami symmetry.

Central Ray: Perpendicular exiting at lips (junction of lips).

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Group 3: Special, Temporal Bone & Orbital Projections

Focused projections for mastoids, TMJ, optic canals, petrous bone, and dental arches.

15. Haas View (Reverse Towne’s)

Primary Focus: Occipital region and petrous pyramids.

Central Ray: 25° Cephalad to OML.

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16. Rhese View (Parieto-Orbital)

Primary Focus: Optic Canal and Optic Foramen assessment.

Central Ray: Perpendicular through downside orbit.

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17. Schuller View (TMJ / Mastoids)

Primary Focus: Mastoid air cells and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ).

Central Ray: 25° Caudad, 5cm superior to EAM.

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18. Stenvers Projection

Primary Focus: Internal Auditory Canal (IAC) & Petrous Pyramid profile.

Central Ray: 12° Cephalad with head rotated 45°.

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19. Mayer View (Axial Oblique)

Primary Focus: Petrous portion of temporal bone and EAC/IAC.

Central Ray: 45° Caudad through dependent EAM.

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20. Chausse III Projection

Primary Focus: Attic and ossicular chain (middle ear/temporal bone).

Central Ray: 10° Caudad angled towards the downside orbit.

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21. Modified Law View (TMJ Open/Closed)

Primary Focus: TMJ condyle excursion in open and closed mouth states.

Central Ray: 15° Caudad centered 1.5 inches superior to EAM.

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22. Cephalometric View (Lateral Ceph)

Primary Focus: Orthodontic analysis of facial bones and soft tissue profile.

Central Ray: Perpendicular to IR at EAM level (standardized distance).

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23. Panoramic View (OPG)

Primary Focus: Mandible, Maxilla, and full dental arch alignment.

Central Ray: 180° Rotating continuous beam.

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Master Head & Facial X-Ray Positions Summary Table | Allied Health Care

Master Guide: Complete 23 Head & Facial X-Ray Positions Table

Group Projection / View Name Primary Region Evaluated Key Landmark & CR Angle Action
Group 1 AP (Anteroposterior) View Cranial Vault, Frontal Bone, Parietal Bones CR 0° to Glabella / Nasion Read Details
Group 1 PA View (Caldwell 0° Baseline) Frontal Bone, Orbital Rims, Petrous Ridges CR 0° exiting at Nasion Read Details
Group 1 Lateral View (Right/Left) Sella Turcica, Lateral Cranial Vault, Skull Fractures CR 0°, 2 inches superior to EAM Read Details
Group 1 Towne’s Projection (AP Axial) Occipital Bone, Dorsum Sellae, Foramen Magnum 30° Caudad to OML Read Details
Group 2 Waters View (Open/Closed Mouth) Maxillary Sinuses, Sphenoid Sinus, Orbital Floor Perpendicular exiting at Acanthion (MML ⊥ IR) Read Details
Group 2 Caldwell View (15° Caudad – PNS) Frontal & Ethmoid Sinuses, Superior Orbital Fissure 15° Caudad exiting at Nasion Read Details
Group 2 Submentovertex (SMV) View Base of Skull, Sphenoid Sinus, Zygomatic Arches Perpendicular to IOML through Submentum Read Details
Group 2 Lateral View of Nasal Bones Nasal Bone Fractures, Soft Tissue Nasal Profile CR 0.5 inch inferior to Nasion Read Details
Group 2 PA Axial Mandible (Caldwell) Mandibular Rami, Condylar Processes 20°-25° Cephalad exiting at Acanthion Read Details
Group 2 Axiolateral Oblique Mandible Mandibular Body, Ramus, Symphysis 25° Cephalad through Region of Interest Read Details
Group 2 Inferosuperior Zygomatic Arch View Bilateral Zygomatic Arches (“Jug-Handle View”) Perpendicular to IOML entering midway between arches Read Details
Group 2 Modified Towne’s View Zygomatic Arches Fracture & Displacement 30° Caudad to OML, 1 inch above Glabella Read Details
Group 2 SMV View for Mandible Mandibular Coronoid/Condylar Processes, Mandibular Base Perpendicular to IOML centered between mandibular angles Read Details
Group 2 PA Mandible (0° CR) Mandibular Body and Rami Symmetry Perpendicular exiting at lips junction Read Details
Group 3 Haas View Occipital Region (Reverse Towne’s Projection) 25° Cephalad to OML Read Details
Group 3 Rhese View (Parieto-Orbital) Optic Canal and Optic Foramen 3-Point Touch, CR perpendicular to downside orbit Read Details
Group 3 Schuller View Mastoid Air Cells, TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) 25° Caudad, 5cm superior to EAM Read Details
Group 3 Stenvers Projection Internal Auditory Canal (IAC) & Petrous Pyramid 12° Cephalad with head rotated 45° Read Details
Group 3 Mayer View (Axial Oblique) Petrous Temporal Bone, EAC / IAC 45° Caudad through dependent EAM Read Details
Group 3 Chausse III Projection Attic and Ossicular Chain (Middle Ear) 10° Caudad angled towards downside orbit Read Details
Group 3 Modified Law View TMJ Condyle Excursion (Open & Closed Mouth) 15° Caudad, 1.5 inches superior to EAM Read Details
Group 3 Lateral Cephalometric View Orthodontic Analysis of Facial Bones & Soft Profile Perpendicular to IR at EAM level Read Details
Group 3 Panoramic View (OPG) Mandible, Maxilla, Full Dental Arch 180° Rotating Continuous Beam Read Details