Lateral view

Last revised by Andrew Murphy on 23 Mar 2023

The lateral view is an additional view obtained at virtually every diagnostic evaluation. A lateral view may be obtained as a mediolateral view (ML) or lateromedial view (LM) view depending on where the imaging tube and detector are located.

Technique

  • for an ML view, the tube emitting the x-ray is medial and the detector plate is lateral
  • for the LM view, the tube is lateral and the detector is placed medially

Advantage

  • lateral views are extremely useful in determining the exact location of an abnormality in the breast
  • ML view is best for lesions located in the central or lateral breast
  • LM view is best for evaluating medial lesions

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