Which of the following describes a correct patient position for an AP thoracic spine view?

• A. Standing at upright bucky
• B. Supine on the table
• C. Standing at upright bucky or supine on the table
• D. Seated upright

Answer: (C)

For an AP thoracic spine view, the patient should be positioned so the spine is aligned with the image receptor and rotation is minimized. The two practical and commonly accepted positions are standing upright at a vertical bucky or lying supine on the table.

Standing at the upright bucky is preferable when the patient can stand because it provides better inspiration, reduces magnification, and helps demonstrate natural thoracic alignment. If the patient cannot stand, placing them supine on the table to obtain an AP projection still yields a valid image, with the patient recumbent to minimize movement and discomfort.

Seated upright is not the typical way this view is described in standard radiography protocols, and while it can be used in some settings, the established options emphasize erect at a bucky or recumbent supine positions. The key concept is that the AP thoracic spine view can be acquired either erect or recumbent, depending on the patient’s condition, to achieve proper alignment and diagnostic quality.