For oblique and lateral cervical spine projections, which statement about chin position is correct?

• A. The chin should be extended
• B. The chin should be flexed
• C. The chin should be tucked
• D. The chin should be kept neutral

Answer: (A)

For oblique and lateral cervical spine projections, extending the chin is used to move the mandible away from the cervical spine and reduce soft-tissue overlap. When the chin is extended, the tongue and mandible sit posterior to the upper cervical vertebrae, which helps prevent them from obscuring the atlas, axis, and adjacent joints. This positioning makes the cervical anatomy—especially the upper levels and the zygapophyseal joints— clearer on the image.

If the chin is flexed or tucked, the mandible and tongue can encroach on the upper cervical area, increasing overlap and obscuring details you need to evaluate. A neutral chin position may still leave some interference, so slight extension is the optimal choice for these views.