Articles

Articles are a collaborative effort to provide a single canonical page on all topics relevant to the practice of radiology. As such, articles are written and continuously improved upon by countless contributing members. Our dedicated editors oversee each edit for accuracy and style. Find out more about articles.

More than 200 results
Article

Septum pellucidum

The septum pellucidum is a thin transparent membrane located in the brain between the body and anterior horns of the lateral ventricles. Gross anatomy It extends from the rostrum, genu and anterior portion of the body of the corpus callosum to the fornix. It separates the anterior horns of the...
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Major and minor edits

The terms major edit and minor edit are used to describe article edits and are used in a variety of ways on the site. Minor edits Minor edits are changes that do not significantly alter the substance or meaning of the content. They are typically superficial in nature and focus on improving rea...
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Tibial plateau fracture

Tibial plateau fractures were originally termed a bumper fracture or fender fracture but only 25% of tibial plateau fractures result from impact with automobile bumpers. Pathology The most common mechanism of injury involves axial loading, e.g. fall from a significant height. In younger patien...
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Line focus principle

The line focus principle in radiography explains the relationship between the actual focal spot on the anode surface and the effective focal spot size. Basic concept The focal spot is the area of the target upon which the electron beam strikes. The energy of the electrons in the electron beam ...
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Koos classification

The Koos classification is a grading scale frequently used to describe the growth extent ofr vestibular schwannomas 1. Classification grade 1: small intracanalicular tumor grade 2: small tumor with protrusion into the cerebellopontine cistern (CPA); no contact with the brainstem grade 3: tum...
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Normal pressure hydrocephalus

Normal pressure hydrocephalus remains a controversial entity with often ambiguous imaging findings. It is classically characterized by the triad of gait apraxia/ataxia, urinary incontinence, and cognitive impairment, although not all patients with the condition have all three 31. On imaging, it...
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Intermetatarsal joint

The intermetatarsal joints are strong interosseous ligaments between the second to fifth metatarsals and serve to maintain the lateral integrity of the forefoot.  Gross anatomy The intermetatarsal ligaments are present between the second to fifth metatarsal. There is no ligament between the se...
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Crux cordis

The crux cordis, cardiac crux or crux of the heart is an anatomical landmark and refers to the cross-shaped appearance of the posterior view or diaphragmatic surface of the heart 1-3. Gross anatomy The crux cordis is formed by the connection of the right and left atrioventricular groove and th...
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Patellar tilt angle

The patellar tilt angle is a widely used measurement to determine patellar tilt and can be used in the assessment of anterior knee pain 1-2. Measurement The patellar tilt angle can be evaluated on axial images showing the maximum cross-sectional area of the patella 5. It is measures as the ang...
Article

Spiral mucosal folds

The spiral mucosal folds, also known as the valves of Heister, are spirally arranged mucosal folds on the endoluminal surface of the cystic duct. Terminology The term "valves" is a misnomer, as it has since been shown that they do not have a valvular function and do not contain a sphincter 1,5...
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Occipital condyle syndrome

Occipital condyle syndrome describes the concurrence of unilateral occipital pain and ipsilateral hypoglossal nerve palsy, which localizes to pathology affecting an occipital condyle. While occipital condyle syndrome can have many potential causes, it nearly always represents a manifestation of ...
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Olecranon bursitis

Olecranon bursitis refers to inflammation of the olecranon bursa. The olecranon bursa is a subcutaneous sac that overlies the olecranon process and contains a small amount of fluid to prevent injury of subcutaneous tissue and skin from the uncovered bony olecranon. Clinical presentation The pr...
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Metacarpal scaphoid distance

The metacarpal scaphoid distance is a measure of the metacarpal subsidence post trapeziectomy and corresponds to the absolute scaphometacarpal space 1,2. Measurement The metacarpal scaphoid distance has been measured on both AP hand radiographs 3 and lateral thumb radiographs 1. It is the sho...
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Water lily sign (hydatid cyst)

The water lily sign, also known as the camalote sign, is seen in hydatid infections when the inner endocyst detaches from the outer pericyst, resulting in a free-floating membrane within the cyst. It is classically described on plain radiographs (mainly chest x-ray) when the collapsed membranes...
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Small bowel mesentery internal hernia

Small bowel mesentery internal hernias (alternative plural: herniae) are a form of internal bowel herniation involving protrusions of viscera through defects in the peritoneum or bowel mesentery. Epidemiology This type of internal herniation is more often seen in neonates than in adults ref. ...
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Elbow ossification

Elbow ossification occurs at the six elbow ossification centers in a reproducible order. Being familiar with the order of ossification of the elbow is important in not mistaking an epicondylar fracture for a normal ossification center.  Appearance Order The order of appearances of the elbow o...
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Lateral epicondyle fracture (elbow)

Lateral epicondyle fractures of the elbow are rare epicondylar fractures. They are much rarer than medial epicondyle fractures and represent avulsion of the lateral epicondyle. They are usually seen in the setting of other injuries 1-3.  Terminology These fractures are avulsion fractions of th...
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Metopic suture

The metopic suture (also known as the frontal, interfrontal, or median frontal suture) is a vertical fibrous joint that divides the two halves of the frontal bone and is present in a newborn. Persistent metopic sutures can be misdiagnosed as vertical skull fractures, therefore it is important t...
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Hydatid disease

Hydatid cyst, also known as echinococcosis, results from infection by the Echinococcus tapeworm species. It primarily includes two significant zoonotic diseases caused by tapeworms: cystic echinococcosis, resulting from Echinococcus granulosus, and alveolar echinococcosis, resulting from Echinoc...
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Trigeminal nerve

The trigeminal nerve is the fifth (CN V) cranial nerve and its primary role is relaying sensory information from the face and head, although it does provide motor control to the muscles of mastication via the mandibular division (TA: nervus trigeminus or nervus cranialis V). It is both large an...

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