What is the actual depth of the spinal cord if a lateral radiograph shows 9 cm with a magnification of 1.5?

To determine the actual depth of the spinal cord from the provided lateral radiograph measurement and magnification factor, the formula to use is:

Actual Depth = Measured Depth / Magnification Factor.

In this scenario, the measured depth on the radiograph is 9 cm and the magnification is 1.5. Therefore, the calculation would be:

Actual Depth = 9 cm / 1.5 = 6 cm.

This result indicates that the actual depth of the spinal cord is 6 cm, which corresponds to the choice provided. Understanding magnification is essential in medical imaging, as it affects how measurements on the images relate to real-world distances. If an object appears larger in a radiograph, it can lead to misinterpretations unless the magnification factor is correctly accounted for.