Which body habitus is best imaged by placing the 35 x 43 cm IR crosswise in the upright grid cabinet?

The body habitus that is best imaged by placing the 35 x 43 cm image receptor (IR) crosswise in the upright grid cabinet is hypersthenic. Individuals with a hypersthenic body habitus tend to have a broader and shorter body shape, which results in wider thoracic dimensions. When imaging hypersthenic patients, it is essential to maximize the coverage of the IR to capture the necessary anatomy effectively.

By placing the IR crosswise, the wider orientation allows for better alignment with the patient’s larger frame. This technique ensures that all relevant anatomical structures are included in the imaging field, thus enhancing the quality and accuracy of the radiographic results. In contrast, other body habitus types such as asthenic, sthenic, and hyposthenic may require different IR placements to optimize imaging based on their unique body shapes.