The standard CXR is taken in 'posterior-anterior' (PA) view with the patient standing and facing away from the x-ray tube.

Patients in ICU usually have the film taken on the bed in an 'antero-posterior' (AP) view. In this case, the size of the heart is magnified and the lung fields are seen less clearly.

Fig 1 Shows some of the structures that may be identified on the CXR.