Radiolucent – Refers to structures that are less dense and permit the x-ray beam to pass through them. Radiolucent structures appear dark or black in the radiographic image.
Radiopaque – Refers to structures that are dense and resist the passage of x-rays. Radiopaque structures appear light or white in a radiographic image.
BONY LANDMARKS1
Anterior nasal spine – a radiopaque V-shaped structure in the maxilla that intersects the floor of the nasal cavity and the nasal septum.
External auditory meatus – a round radiolucent passage way to the ear (bilateral).
Genial tubercle – a round/oval radiopaque structure inferior to the mandibular incisors.
Hard palate – a radiopaque bony structure that separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity.
Internal oblique ridge – a radiopaque structure which is located on the internal surface of the mandible and proceeds downward to become the mylohyoid ridge (bilateral).
Maxillary sinus – a radiolucent area located above the apices of the maxillary premolars and molars. The floor of the maxillary sinus often appears as a thin wavy radiopaque line (bilateral).
Mandibular canal – a radiolucent tube-like structure outlined by two radiopaque lines that starts at the mandibular foramen and proceeds to the mental foramen (bilateral).
Mandibular condyle – a rounded radiopaque structure, which extends from the ramus and articulates with the glenoid fossa (bilateral).
Mental foramen – a round/oval radiolucent structure inferior to the mandibular premolars (bilateral).
Nasal septum – a radiopaque vertical bony structure that divides the nasal cavity into two.
Orbit – a radiolucent area superior to the maxillary sinus (bilateral).
Styloid process – a long, pointed radiopaque structure that extends from the temporal bone anterior to the mastoid process (bilateral).
Submandibular fossa – a radiolucent area toward the middle of the mandible that lies inferior to the mylohyoid line (bilateral).
Zygomatic process – a "J or U" shaped radiopaque structure in the maxilla that lies superior to the maxillary first molars (bilateral).
AIRSPACES1
Nasopharyngeal air space – a radiolucent area that extends from the nasal cavity to the pharynx.
Glossopharyngeal air space – a radiolucent area that extends posteriorly from the tongue and oral cavity to the pharynx.
Palotoglossal air space – a radiolucent band that lies superior to the apices of the maxillary teeth and inferior to the hard palate.
Your session is about to expire. Do you want to continue logged in?
WARNING! You did not finish creating your certificate. Please click CONTINUE below to return to your previous page to complete the process. Failure to complete ALL the steps will result in a loss of this test score, and you will not receive credit for this course.
