- Supine position
The supine position is a position of the body; lying down with the
face up, as opposed to theprone position , which is face down. When used in surgical procedures, it allows access to theperitoneal ,thoracic and pericardial regions; as well as the head, neck and extremities. [Rothrock, J. C. (2007) "Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery 13th Ed." Mobsy Elsevier: St Louis, Missouri. p.148.]Using terms defined in the
anatomical position , the dorsal side is down, and the ventral side is up.Knee examination
During a
knee examination there are several tests done while the patient is in the supine position:
*Masses
*Scars
*Lesions
*Signs of trauma/previous surgery
*Swelling (edema — particular in themedial fossa (the depression medial to the patella)
*erythema (redness)
*Muscle bulk and symmetry (in particular atrophy of the medial aspect of thequadriceps muscle — vastus medialis)
*Displacement of thepatella (knee cap)Other examinations
The supine position is also used for other examinations including an internal autopsy, palpitation and auscultation of the abdominal organs, and cardiovascular assessment.
In diagnostic imaging it is used to describe the position of the patient on the imaging device's table. Same applies to the position of the patient on a radiotherapy table.
ee also
*
Prone position
*Anatomical position
*Sleep paralysis References
Links
* [http://www.orthop.washington.edu/_Rainbow/Album/10357m52313f71-d378-4803-9be5-5c16eedffdc8.gifsupine position]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.