The Scotty dog fracture sign seen on oblique radiographs indicates a defect in which structure?

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Multiple Choice

The Scotty dog fracture sign seen on oblique radiographs indicates a defect in which structure?

Explanation:
On an oblique view of the lumbar spine, the posterior elements align to resemble a Scotty dog, and the neck of that dog corresponds to the pars interarticularis. A defect here appears as a break or “collar” across the neck, which is the Scotty dog fracture sign. This specifically indicates a pars interarticularis fracture (spondylolysis). The lamina, spinous process, and facet joints are not where this characteristic collar sign occurs, so fractures there wouldn’t produce the Scotty dog neck sign.

On an oblique view of the lumbar spine, the posterior elements align to resemble a Scotty dog, and the neck of that dog corresponds to the pars interarticularis. A defect here appears as a break or “collar” across the neck, which is the Scotty dog fracture sign. This specifically indicates a pars interarticularis fracture (spondylolysis). The lamina, spinous process, and facet joints are not where this characteristic collar sign occurs, so fractures there wouldn’t produce the Scotty dog neck sign.

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