Which position should the patient's arm be in for the internal rotation of the shoulder?

When performing an internal rotation of the shoulder, positioning the patient's arm correctly is crucial for accurate imaging and examination. In this case, the arm must be internally rotated, which means the patient's palm should face the body and the elbow should be bent at a right angle. This positioning allows for the greater tubercle of the humerus to rotate medially, which is essential for visualizing specific anatomical structures around the shoulder joint on an X-ray.

Internal rotation is primarily used to project the shoulder girdle anatomy in a way that clearly displays the joint space and the rotator cuff insertion points. Properly aligning the arm in this position helps radiologists and clinicians obtain the most diagnostic images possible, thereby improving the assessment of any potential injuries or conditions affecting the shoulder.