American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT) Practice Exam

When acquiring nontrauma radiographs on the ankle, the foot should be placed in which position?

1. Inverted

2. Everted

3. Plantarflexed

4. Dorsiflexed

The correct answer is: Dorsiflexed

When acquiring nontrauma radiographs of the ankle, the correct position of the foot is dorsiflexed. This positioning involves pulling the foot upward toward the shin, which provides optimal visualization of the ankle joint and surrounding structures. Dorsiflexion serves to open the joint space, ensuring that important anatomical features, such as the talus and the tibia-fibula articulation, are clearly seen on the radiograph. This positioning is critical because it helps to minimize superimposition of other structures and allows for a more accurate assessment of the ankle joint without the potential for overlapping shadows that can arise from alternative positions. Additionally, the dorsiflexed position is commonly utilized in standard ankle radiography protocols, ensuring consistency in image quality and comparability across exams. In contrast, the other positions—such as inversion or eversion—alter the alignment of the bones and may obscure important anatomical details required for diagnosis. Plantarflexion, while it provides a view of the underside of the foot, does not offer the same clarity for the ankle joint as dorsiflexion does, making it less suitable for nontrauma radiographs.