A lateral elbow X‑ray shows the side view of the distal humerus, proximal radius and ulna, and the elbow joint space. It assesses bone alignment, fractures (supracondylar, radial head, olecranon), dislocations, joint effusions (seen as anterior or posterior fat‑pad signs), degenerative changes, loose bodies, and calcifications. It's useful for evaluating trauma and suspected intra‑articular injury.

Lateral elbow X‑ray: the patient’s elbow is flexed 90° with the arm placed in a true lateral (thumb up) position so the medial and lateral epicondyles are superimposed. The humerus and forearm lie in the same plane, centering the joint and including distal humerus plus proximal radius and ulna. The beam is perpendicular; the view profiles the olecranon, radial head and coronoid process to assess fractures or dislocation.

Standard elbow radiography includes AP (anteroposterior), lateral (90° flexion) and oblique views (internal and external oblique). For trauma or suspected radial head fractures add a radial head (Greenspan) view and images including the distal humerus and proximal forearm. Comparison views of the opposite elbow may be taken in children or when findings are unclear.

A lateral view in X-ray is a side-to-side image obtained by directing the X-ray beam from one side of the body to the other to show depth and posterior–anterior relationships. It complements front-to-back (AP/PA) views, clarifies overlapping structures, and helps assess vertebral alignment, lung retrocardiac/retrosternal spaces, fluid levels, and joint alignment. The patient stands or lies on their side for the exposure.

The lateral elbow is the outer side of the elbow joint over the lateral epicondyle of the humerus. It includes wrist‑extensor tendons (notably extensor carpi radialis), the radial collateral ligament and nearby radial nerve branches. Pain or tenderness here—often called lateral epicondylitis or “tennis elbow”—is commonly caused by repetitive wrist extension and gripping, worse with resisted wrist extension.

A lateral X‑ray can be either left or right. The designation indicates which side of the patient is closest to the image receptor: a left lateral view has the patient’s left side against the detector, while a right lateral has the right side against it. Always check the side marker on the image; if unlabeled, confirm with the imaging department.