Which anatomical structures are demonstrated on a correctly positioned lateral cervical spine exam?

• A. Vertebral bodies and spinous processes in profile
• B. The dens and occipital bone
• C. The mandible overlapping the upper vertebrae
• D. The sacrum and coccyx

Answer: (A)

In a correctly positioned lateral cervical spine radiograph, the structures shown in profile are the vertebral bodies and the spinous processes along the cervical spine. This side-on view is optimized so the dense margins of the vertebral bodies and the posterior elements provide clear silhouettes, allowing assessment of alignment, spacing, and any misalignment from C2 through C7. The dens and occipital bone are upper‑cervical structures that are not the primary features of this view; the dens is best seen on an odontoid (open-mouth) projection, and the occipital bone can obscure the upper cervical anatomy in this lateral view, so they aren’t the key elements demonstrated. If the mandible overlapped the upper vertebrae, it would obscure those vertebral details, which would indicate poor positioning rather than a correctly positioned image. The sacrum and coccyx belong to the pelvis and would not appear in a cervical exam.