X Ray Whole Spine Lateral and AP View

AP (anteroposterior) view: X‑rays pass from front to back of the body; often used when patients can’t stand, but can magnify structures like the heart. Lateral view: X‑rays pass from one side to the other, giving a side profile that shows depth and relationships between anterior and posterior structures. Together they localize lesions, assess alignment and improve diagnostic accuracy.

X-ray LS spine AP and lateral are plain radiographs of the lumbosacral spine taken front-to-back (anteroposterior) and from the side (lateral). They evaluate bony alignment, fractures, degenerative changes, disc-space narrowing, spondylolisthesis and spinal curvature. The exam is quick, noninvasive and uses low-dose radiation, but won’t show soft-tissue or early disc pathology well, so CT/MRI may be needed.

A lateral view of the spine X-ray is a side-on radiograph showing vertebral bodies, intervertebral disc spaces, facet joints and spinal alignment in profile. It highlights spinal curvature (lordosis/kyphosis), vertebral height, fractures, degenerative changes, spondylolisthesis and gross soft-tissue abnormalities. This view complements frontal images to better evaluate alignment, stability and structural pathology, aiding diagnosis and treatment planning.

A full spine X-ray is called a full-length spinal radiograph or whole-spine radiograph (also termed standing full-spine or long-cassette radiography). It captures the entire cervical-to-sacral spine in one image, often in standing position, and is used to assess alignment, scoliosis, fractures, degenerative changes, and pre/post-operative planning. Exposure is higher than single-level films.

AP and lateral are two standard radiographic views. The AP (anteroposterior) projects X‑rays from front to back, while the lateral projects from one side to the other at roughly 90 degrees. Obtaining both provides orthogonal perspectives that help localize lesions, evaluate alignment, and increase diagnostic accuracy compared with a single view. They are commonly used for chest, extremity, and spine imaging.

In X‑ray, "lateral" means a side view where the X‑ray beam passes from one side of the body to the other, producing a profile image. It separates overlapping structures, shows anterior–posterior relationships, and helps localize lesions, fractures, or foreign bodies. The patient stands or lies with the side of interest against the image receptor so anatomy is visualized in profile rather than front‑to‑back.