The Swimmers view is used to image which spinal region?

The Swimmers view is used to image which spinal region?

• A. Cervicothoracic region
• B. Lumbar region
• C. Thoracic region
• D. Sacral region

Answer: (A)

Swimmer’s view targets the cervicothoracic junction, the area where the lower cervical spine meets the upper thoracic spine (roughly C7–T1). In a standard lateral cervical radiograph, the shoulders can sit over this region and obscure it, making injuries or alignment issues at the C7–T1 junction hard to see. By having the patient extend one arm overhead and position the other shoulder downward, the shoulders move away from the spine and the cervicothoracic area becomes visible. A slight beam angle may also be used to optimize this visualization. This view is not used to image the lumbar, mid-thoracic, or sacral regions, which require different projections.

Swimmer’s view targets the cervicothoracic junction, the area where the lower cervical spine meets the upper thoracic spine (roughly C7–T1). In a standard lateral cervical radiograph, the shoulders can sit over this region and obscure it, making injuries or alignment issues at the C7–T1 junction hard to see. By having the patient extend one arm overhead and position the other shoulder downward, the shoulders move away from the spine and the cervicothoracic area becomes visible. A slight beam angle may also be used to optimize this visualization. This view is not used to image the lumbar, mid-thoracic, or sacral regions, which require different projections.