A both-heel lateral X‑ray is a side-view radiograph taken of both heels at once. It shows the calcanei, subtalar joints, talus and nearby soft tissues to identify fractures, dislocations, joint-space changes, bone spurs or calcifications. Often done weight-bearing or in a lateral position, it helps evaluate acute trauma, chronic heel pain and guides treatment or further imaging.

The lateral position for a calcaneus X-ray places the patient in true lateral recumbency with the affected side down. The knee is flexed and the ankle dorsiflexed to a right angle so the calcaneus lies perpendicular to the image receptor. The film is centered on the mid‑calcaneus and the central ray is directed perpendicular to the cassette to show the calcaneal body and subtalar joint.

A lateral view in X‑ray is a side‑to‑side radiograph taken with the X‑ray beam passing through the body from one lateral side to the other. It provides a profile image that reveals depth and relationships of structures, helps localize lesions, detect fractures, assess spinal alignment and lung or pleural abnormalities. It’s usually obtained alongside frontal (AP/PA) views for complete evaluation.

A "right heel LAT" means a lateral radiograph (side‑view X‑ray) of the right heel (calcaneus). It’s used to assess fractures, bone spurs, alignment, Achilles insertion problems or soft‑tissue swelling after trauma or persistent heel pain. The exam is quick, noninvasive, uses low‑dose radiation, and helps guide treatment such as immobilization, further imaging (CT/MRI), or conservative care.

A "lateral" X‑ray is a side view and can be either left or right. It’s defined by which side of the patient is closest to the detector: a left lateral has the patient’s left side against the detector, and a right lateral has the right side against it. Always check the image’s radiographic side marker to confirm which side was imaged.

A heel X‑ray images the calcaneus and nearby foot bones to detect fractures, bone spurs, arthritis, bony alignment or joint‑space changes, bone infections or tumors, and calcifications or foreign bodies. It helps evaluate structural causes of heel pain but has limited ability to show soft‑tissue problems like plantar fasciitis directly—those are inferred from bony changes and calcifications.