Which radiographic projection uses the Scotty dog mnemonic?

• A. PA projection
• B. AP projection
• C. Oblique projection
• D. Lateral projection

Answer: (C)

The Scotty dog mnemonic is used to interpret the lumbar spine on an oblique radiographic view. When the spine is angled to an oblique position, the posterior elements line up to form a silhouette that resembles a dog, with the pars interarticularis visible as the region of interest for potential stress fractures (spondylolysis). This makes it the projection specifically suited to evaluate the pars interarticularis. PA or AP views don’t create that same dog-like silhouette of the posterior elements, and a lateral view focuses on the side of the vertebrae rather than the oblique arrangement that reveals the Scotty dog. So, the oblique projection is the one that uses the Scotty dog mnemonic.