The finger lateral X-ray is taken with the affected finger placed true lateral on the image receptor—pad-to-pad—so the finger’s lateral aspect contacts the cassette. The patient sits with elbow flexed 90°, forearm and wrist supported, adjacent fingers flexed or taped away. The central ray is perpendicular to the PIP joint; include distal phalanx through distal metacarpal and avoid rotation.

The AP (anteroposterior) view of the finger is an X-ray taken with the palm down and the finger fully extended flat on the detector so the X-ray beam passes from anterior to posterior. The central ray is centered on the proximal interphalangeal joint. It shows bone alignment, joint spaces and fractures; correct positioning avoids rotation and includes the entire finger to the metacarpal base.

AP (anteroposterior) X‑ray projects the beam front-to-back, often used when patients can’t stand; it can magnify structures and alter apparent sizes. Lateral X‑ray is a side-to-side view that shows depth and the relationship of anterior versus posterior structures, helping localize lesions and assess alignment. Together they provide complementary planes for accurate diagnosis.

The little finger (fifth digit) is medial when the body is in the standard anatomical position (standing with palms facing forward). "Medial" means toward the body's midline; the thumb is lateral. In the forearm and hand, the little finger lies on the ulnar (medial) side, opposite the radial (lateral) thumb.

A lateral view in X-ray is a side-to-side radiographic projection taken at a 90° angle to the frontal (anteroposterior) view. It provides depth information by separating overlapping structures, improving visualization of bones, joints, lungs, spine and soft tissues. It’s useful for detecting fractures, dislocations, fluid collections or lesions that may be obscured on frontal images.

In the standard anatomical position (palms forward), “lateral” means farther from the body midline toward the radial (thumb) side. The thumb (first digit, pollex) is the most lateral finger. Moving medially across the hand, the index, middle, ring and then little (fifth) finger are successively toward the medial (ulnar) side. The little finger is therefore the most medial.