What is the difference between AP and PA view in a chest radiograph?

AP chest XR's are used in a trauma setting as part of your work up in an emergency set up. In a emergency set up you ask for 3 XR's:

• AP Chest
• AP pelvis
• Lateral C spine

PA XR's are used in ge

Hi Alex,

I also wanted to say that when looking at an AP X-ray, remember that the heart will look larger than on PA, so be aware when commenting on cardiac appearance.
Also, an AP is often taken when a patient is unable to tolerate moving -

the terminlogy A-P or P-A depends on postion of the X-ray film & X-ray tube
Normal healthy patient Chest X-rays are P-A, meaning patient's anterior chest faces X-ray film and X-ray tube over posterior aspect of chest.
Terminology goes a