Clover Learning Radiography Positioning for the Spine Practice Test

In the AP axial view of the cervical spine, the CR is angled cephalad to align the beam with the dens (odontoid process) and the atlas–axis region. This cephalad tilt helps project the dens through the foramen magnum and reduces superimposition of the occipital bone over the upper cervical spine. The typical angulation is 15–20 degrees toward the head, which provides a balance between visualizing the dens clearly and avoiding excessive distortion. Too little angle leaves the dens obscured by the skull, while too much angle can over-project the dens and distort anatomy.