How should the patient's body be positioned for the oblique cervical view?

To obtain an accurate oblique cervical view, the patient should be positioned at a 45-degree angle to the image receptor (bucky). This positioning allows for the visualization of the intervertebral foramina and the lower cervical vertebrae in a manner that best demonstrates their structures. The patient's head should be parallel to the bucky to minimize distortion and ensure that the radiographic projection clearly represents the anatomy of interest.

This positioning technique is critical because it aligns the important anatomical features with the plane of the detector, facilitating optimal imaging. By placing the patient at this specific angle and keeping the head parallel, the technologist can enhance the clarity of the image, making it easier to assess any potential pathologies or structural abnormalities in the cervical region.