Film: 8 x 10 inches
Position of Patient
Place the patient in semiprone position or seated before a VGD.
Position of Part
A mark may be made on cheek at a point ½ inch anterior to and 1 inch superior to the EAM.
Center the marked localization point to the cassette and rest the patients head on the parietal region.
Tilt the head slightly so that the IPL forms a 10- to 15- degree angle from the perpendicular. The MSP forms a 15- degree angle from the plane of the film.
Central Ray
Direct the central ray to the midpoint of the film at an angle of 30 degrees cephalad. It enters inferior to the angle of the mandible farthest from the film passes through the TMJ closest to the film.
Structure Shown
An oblique lateral image of the TMJ in the open and closed mouth positions is shown. Both sides are examined for comparison.
Evaluation Criteria
• Opposite side of the mandible should not overlap the temporomandibular region
• TMJ should be free of superimposition from the cervical vertebrae.
