ABSTRACT
Fingers must be positioned parallel to the film for all views. While the routine view of the second through fifth digits is the P-A view, if the finger is bent and cannot be straightened, A-P views can be helpful. When positioning fingers and the thumb, use the fingernail as a reference point for positioning. The collimation for fingers must include from the tip of the fingernail to the metacarpal-phalangeal joint. When taking the hand P-A view, spread the fingers only slightly. For all hand views, the fingers should be parallel to the film. The fingers are cupped but not made into a fist for the P-A view. If patient cannot straighten finger, the P-A view may be supplemented with the A-P projection. If the hand is not flat on the film, the second metacarpal base will be superimposed over the trapezium and the scaphotrapezium space will be closed.
