Have the patient stand or sit upright at the vertical Bucky. Rotate the shoulders posteriorly, and have the pt. Center the sternum to the midline of the grid. The breasts of female patients should be drawn to the sides and held in position with a wide bandage to prevent obscuring the sternum. CR is perpendicular to the lateral border of midsternum.
Respiration is suspended at the end of full inhalation for sharper contrast.
First through tenth posterior ribs from both sides should be seen above the diaphragm and included in their entirety. Ribs should be clearly seen through the lungs. Eighth through twelfth posterior ribs from both sides should be seen below the diaphragm and included in their entirety. Ribs should be clearly seen through the contents of the abdomen. Entire manubrium to the tip of the xiphoid should be included.