X-Ray Measurements 

Lateral Cervical

• Measure from left side to the right side of neck about two inches above the level of the shoulders.

Vertex

• Measure from the crown of the skull to 1 inch from the tip of the chin. 

Nasium 

• Measure from the bridge of the nose to the back of the neck, just below the skull where the skulls meets the neck. 

Lateral Thoracic 

• With the patient standing, have them raise their arms in the air. Place calipers under arms in axilla (armpit) and have the patient lower their arms. Record measurement.

AP Thoracic

• With the patient standing, place calipers over the patient’s shoulders and measure from the front to back of the body at the level of the episternal notch (at the top of the breast bone where you will feel a soft notch.)

Lateral Lumbar/Pelvis

• With the patient standing, measure at the widest part of the patient’s hips.  

AP Lumbar/Pelvis

• With the patient standing, have the patient point out where their belly button is. Measure at this level from left to right with the patient’s arms hanging down at their sides.

Shoulder 

• Measure the widest point of shoulder. (AP) 

Elbow 

• Measure the widest point of elbow as shown in picture.  

Wrist 

• Measure laterally at the widest point of wrist.  

Knee 

• Measure the knee laterally at the widest point.  

Ankle 

• Measure from the heel to the top of the foot.  

Foot 

• Measure the foot laterally at the widest point.