Supine position

Decubit position

The supine decubitus (or dorsal decubitus) is an anatomical position of the human body that is characterized by:

• Body position lying upside down, usually in a plane parallel to the ground.
• Neck in neutral position, with a look directed at the cénit.
• Extended superior members glued to the trunk and with the palms of the hands down.
• Lower extremities also extended with feet in neutral bending and tip of the fat fingers up.

In this position the positions of the body are defined with respect to the three axes of space:

• Axis antero-posterior: In front it is called previous or ventral (except in the lower extremities which is dorsal). Behind it is called back or back.
• Cranium-caudal axis: Above it is called upper, cranial, cephalic and below it is called lower or flow.
• Late-lateral: The middle line is called medial or internal, and to the outside (right or left) is called lateral or external right or left respectively. The right or left is always with respect to the body observed.

It has its origin in Latin, from the word decubĭtus, lying down.

Uses in dorsal decubitus surgery

It is the most used in surgery. It is mainly used for the approach to the abdomen, anterior neck and upper limb surgery. In abdominal surgery, this dorsal decubitus position is to explore the internal organs of the abdomen, whether in cases of stabbing, bleeding, pregnancy and others.

Uses in radiology

It is frequently used to obtain frontal radiographic images of the spine, mainly the dorsal, lumbar and sacral portions. Also for frontal images of the lower limb in general.

In patients who, due to their ailment or condition, are bedridden or on a stretcher, almost all of the radiological positions can be performed.