Mammography Projections and Positioning: A Quick Guide
mammography positioning guide
A mammography technologist knows that breast positioning is critical to the success of a mammogram. Proper positioning for different types of mammography projections helps to ensure that more breast tissue is imaged, most artifacts are eliminated, and the sensitivity of the mammogram is increased. And because screening and early detection are so important to reducing the number of deaths caused by breast cancer, we have put together a quick reference guide to help technologists. Check out our quick guide to mammography projections below, and download a copy to keep or share with your colleagues!
mammography positioning guide Caudal-Cranial Projection ACR ID: CC
Projection: Sup-Inf
C-Arm Angle: 0°
Tissue Visualized: Anterior, central, medial, and posteromedial portions of the breast
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mammography positioning guide Mediolateral Lateral Projection ACR ID: ML
Projection: Med-Lat
C-Arm Angle: 90°
Tissue Visualized: Extreme posterior and upper outer quadrants of the breast
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mammography positioning guide Exaggerated Cranial Caudal Projection ACR ID: XCCL
Projection: Sup-Inf
C-Arm Angle: 0°
Tissue Visualized: Lateral breast tissue
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 Caudal-Cranial Projection ACR ID: FB
Projection: Sup-Inf
C-Arm Angle: 0°
Tissue Visualized: Central and medial, high on chest wall
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 Medial–Lateral Oblique Projection ACR ID: MLO
Projection: SM-IL
C-Arm Angle: 30° – 60°
Tissue Visualized: Posterior, upper-outer quadrant, axillary tail, lower-inner quadrant
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 Lateromedial Lateral Projection ACR ID: LM
Projection: Lat-Med
C-Arm Angle: 90°
Tissue Visualized: Shows details of medial lesions
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 Superolateral to Inferomedial Oblique Projection ACR ID: SIO
Projection: SL-IM
C-Arm Angle: 1° – 90°
Tissue Visualized: Posterior, medial, upper-inner quadrant, lower-outer quadrant
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 Inferolateral to Superomedial Oblique Projection ACR ID: LMO
Projection: IL-SM
C-Arm Angle: 90° – 180°
Tissue Visualized: Posterior, medial, upper-outer quadrant, lower-inner quadrant
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 Cleavage View ACR ID: CV
Projection: Sup-Inf
C-Arm Angle: 0°
Tissue Visualized: Medial quadrants of both breasts on the same image
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 Rolled Lateral or Rolled Medial Projection ACR ID: RL
Projection: Sup-Inf
C-Arm Angle: 0°
Tissue Visualized: Subareolar, central, medial, and posteromedial tissue
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To keep this information handy or to share it with a colleague, get the downloadable version of our mammography projections guide. It’s free!
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