How much tube angulation is required when performing a transthoracic lateral projection of the humerus?

When performing a transthoracic lateral projection of the humerus, it is standard practice to position the X-ray beam perpendicular to the image receptor. This means there is no need for any tube angulation because the humerus is projected laterally as the patient is positioned in a way that facilitates clear imaging of the bone without introducing any angle to the tube. Perpendicular angling ensures that the humerus is adequately visualized and any potential overlap from adjacent structures is minimized, leading to the best possible diagnostic image.

In this projection, the focus is on capturing the true lateral view of the humerus with an unobstructed view of the anatomical details, which is why angling the tube either superiorly, inferiorly, or laterally would detract from the clarity and quality of the image.