Final answer:
Increased foreshortening of the ribs in an axial view indicates that the patient was over-rotated during chest imaging, resulting in a misalignment with the central ray.
Step-by-step explanation:
If axially, ribs demonstrate increased foreshortening, then the patient was over-rotated. This radiographic term refers to the patient's position during the imaging process. In proper chest imaging procedures, the ribs should appear symmetric with minimal foreshortening if the position is correct.
Increased foreshortening usually indicates that the patient was not aligned properly with the central ray, suggesting an over-rotation from the optimal position. There should be equal distance from the vertebral column to the lateral border of the ribs on both sides of the body when positioned correctly.