Final answer:
The statement is true; a lateral projection in medical imaging takes an image from either the right or left side of the patient, providing a side view that can reveal different diagnostic information compared to other views.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that a lateral projection takes an image from either the patient's right or left side is true. In medical imaging, a lateral projection specifically refers to capturing an image from the side of the patient, which can indeed be from the right or left. This is commonly used in radiography (such as X-rays) to obtain a detailed view of the body from a side angle, which can provide important diagnostic information different from what can be seen in anterior-posterior (front-to-back) views. Examples include lateral chest X-rays or lateral views of the spine, which can reveal conditions or issues not visible in other projections.
The underlying principle of a real image projection is that light rays from one point on the object cross at the location of the image, as seen in a camera projecting an image onto film, or in the human eye where the lens projects a real image onto the retina. This principle implies that the image can manifest on a screen or surface whether the object is present or not. Hence, the concept applies to lateral projections in medical imaging as well, confirming the original statement.