This lateral neck radiograph (X-ray) displays the cervical spine from the C2 level through the upper thoracic vertebrae. The primary finding is a linear, radiopaque foreign body situated vertically within the hypopharyngeal region, specifically localized at the level of the C5-C6 vertebrae (indicated by a black arrow). The foreign body exhibits a calcific density, appearing more radiopaque than the adjacent soft tissues but less dense than the vertebral bodies. Importantly, the prevertebral soft tissue space appears normal in width with no evidence of prevertebral thickening or retropharyngeal air (emphysema), which are common secondary signs of esophageal or pharyngeal injury. The radiograph serves as a diagnostic tool for identifying radiopaque ingested foreign bodies in the upper aerodigestive tract. The educational focus is on the anatomical localization of foreign objects and the assessment of associated soft tissue complications in emergency or otolaryngological clinical scenarios.

This lateral neck radiograph (X-ray) demonstrates a highly radiopaque, metallic foreign body, consistent with a bullet, lodged in the soft tissues of the neck. The object is situated anterior to the C6 and C7 cervical vertebrae. The cervical spine shows normal lordotic curvature and vertebral alignment without obvious fractures in the immediate vicinity of the projectile on this view. Anatomical landmarks visible include the cervical vertebrae (C1-C7), the mandible, the skull base, and the clavicle. The image illustrates a critical clinical scenario involving penetrating neck trauma. The dense, sharply defined margins of the object indicate a metallic composition typical of ballistics. Educational value centers on the radiographic identification of foreign bodies, assessment of vertebral integrity in trauma, and the spatial relationship between projectiles and vital structures such as the carotid sheath and airway.

This lateral neck radiograph (X-ray) of a pediatric patient demonstrates a distinct radiopaque foreign body lodged in the upper airway. The object is oblong with tapered ends, consistent with the clinical history of a sunflower seed, and is positioned vertically within the subglottic space/upper trachea at the level of the C4-C6 cervical vertebrae. Key anatomical landmarks visible include the cervical spine with clear intervertebral spaces, the mandible, the maxilla with developing dentition, and the prevertebral soft tissues. The trachea is visualized as a radiolucent (dark) air-filled column, within which the denser foreign body is clearly contrasted. This imaging is characteristic of foreign body aspiration, illustrating its potential for upper airway obstruction. The radiograph is essential for determining the anatomical level of the obstruction to plan emergency intervention such as rigid bronchoscopy.

This diagnostic image is an anterior-posterior (AP) X-ray of the neck and upper cervical region. The radiograph reveals the cervical vertebrae, mandible, and clavicles. A highly radiopaque metallic foreign body (MFB) is visible on the left side of the neck, indicated by a black horizontal arrow. The foreign body is located in the soft tissues lateral to the mid-cervical spine and inferior to the angle of the left mandible, corresponding to the anatomical region of the sternocleidomastoid muscle (Level IIA). The object displays a distinct high-density signature typical of metal, suggesting a projectile or trauma-related origin. This imaging serves to demonstrate the localization of non-biological materials within the neck's soft tissue compartments relative to critical skeletal landmarks.