Description:  This module is divided into lessons focusing on body regions.  Discussion of skull (8-lesson set), spine (8-lesson set), thoracic limbs (17-lesson set) and pelvic limbs (17-lesson set) are provided with this module.  Description of oblique radiographs, standard techniques, open mouth and rostrocaudal projections of the skull are provided.  For the spine, time is spent discussing the proper positioning and use of wedge pads and collimation.  The thoracic and pelvic limbs focus on each joint including the scapula, shoulders, humerus, elbows, radius/ulna, carpi, digits, pelvis including the coxofemoral joints, stifles and tarsi.  Time is spent discussing flexed radiographs and when they are used as well as discussion of the methods to obtain the perfect radiographs including collimation and anatomic landmarks.  In addition, these lessons provide examples of ideal radiographs for reference. 

Target audience: Technicians and veterinarians looking to improve their radiographic techniques

Learning objectives:

1. Understand the positioning, use of mechanical restraint like tape, and anatomic landmarks for a skull radiographs including obliques, rostrocaudal projections and open mouth projections of the skull.
2. Understand the technique to obtain spinal radiographs centered on the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine including the use of wedge pads and the anatomic landmarks used to assess positioning.
3. Understand the methods to take radiographs centered at each level of the thoracic limb including the scapula, shoulder, humerus, elbow, radius/ulna, carpus and digits.
4. Understand proper terminology and techniques for oblique and flexed radiographs of the carpus.
5. Understand the methods to take radiographs centered at each level of the pelvic limb including the pelvis and coxofemoral joints, femur, stifles, tibia/fibula and tarsi
6. Learn the proper technique for flexed and stressed radiographs of the tarsus.

This course is worth approximately 1.5 hours of CE/CPD.