Final answer:
Head tilting during a lateral skull X-ray would likely cause superior and inferior separation of the sphenoid wings, which are part of the lateral skull and middle cranial fossa, potentially leading to diagnostic inaccuracies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tilting of the head during positioning for the lateral skull X-ray would likely result in the superior and inferior separation of the sphenoid wings. The greater wings of the sphenoid bone are lateral projections of the sphenoid bone that form part of the lateral skull and the anterior wall of the middle cranial fossa. An improper tilt can cause shifting of structures in the lateral view, leading to a diagnostic inaccuracy by making the sphenoid wings appear separated superoinferiorly when in fact they should be aligned on a proper radiograph. The lesser wing of the sphenoid bone separates the anterior and middle cranial fossae, while the petrous ridge separates the middle and posterior cranial fossae. The structure of the cranial base and the specific boundaries and articulations inherent to the skull anatomy make it crucial for precise head positioning during radiographic procedures to ensure accurate diagnosis.