Positioning of Heads

This chapter illustrates the positioning of heads anatomically. The correct position for the head in the coronal projection was achieved by placing the head so that a line from the superior border of the external auditory canal to the anterior inferior orbital rim was perpendicular to the film. This controlled flexion–extension of the head. Then the rotation of the head was adjusted until a coronal tomogram of the head through the petrous pyramid showed the oval window on both sides. The positioning for the lateral projection was obtained with a coronal tomogram through the ears with the head supine demonstrating the oval window bilaterally. This ensured that there was no rotation of the head. An axial tomogram through the ear demonstrated the oval window on both sides. This ensured that there was no tilt of the head. The positioning for the head in the axial projection was achieved by positioning the head so that an axial tomogram through the oval window showed the oval window on both sides. To obtain sections and tomograms in the oblique position, it was decided to proceed in such a manner that they would be perpendicular to the long axis of the optic canal.