For the lateral projection of the skull, which positioning baseline is placed parallel to the long axis of the IR?

In the lateral projection of the skull, the infraorbitomeatal line is positioned parallel to the long axis of the imaging receptor (IR). This particular baseline is defined as the line extending from the infraorbital margin to the midpoint of the external acoustic meatus (ear canal). When this line is parallel to the IR, it helps in accurately projecting the cranial structures without distortion, ensuring that the anatomical details are well-represented.

Proper alignment is crucial in radiography to achieve the highest quality images. When the infraorbitomeatal line is parallel to the IR, it also allows for the optimal positioning of the skull, minimizing superimposition of structures and maximizing clarity of the image. This contributes to better diagnostic accuracy in evaluating the skull and its components.