Final answer:
A lateral skull radiograph displays anatomical features of the skull such as the brain case, zygomatic arch, and jaws, focusing on important elements like the pterion and greater wings of the sphenoid bone. The position of the pterion is clinically significant as injury to this area can lead to a potentially fatal hematoma. Correct patient positioning is crucial for accurately capturing these structures.
Step-by-step explanation:
When positioning patients for a lateral skull radiograph (rad), it is essential to understand the anatomy of the skull for accurate imaging. A right lateral view of the skull will display various anatomical structures including the large rounded brain case, the zygomatic arch, and the upper and lower jaws. The zygomatic arch, a key element visualized in the lateral skull radiograph, is an arch formed by the zygomatic process of the temporal bone merging with the temporal process of the zygomatic bone. This arch and its relation to other structures such as the temporal fossa (the shallow space above it), and the infratemporal fossa (the space beneath and deep to the posterior mandible), are critical when considering injuries to the head.
Moreover, the importance of the pterion, which is an anatomical landmark located on the lateral aspect of the skull, cannot be overstated. Injuries to the lateral side of the head may fracture the bones of the pterion, potentially damaging the major branch of an artery lying deep to it and leading to the formation of a hematoma, which can exert pressure on the brain and have severe consequences if left untreated. Additionally, the radiograph can show the greater wings of the sphenoid bone, which are lateral projections of the sphenoid bone forming both a part of the anterior wall of the middle cranial fossa and a region of the lateral skull.