Figure 1.

Pre-scanning laser guided orthogonal object orientation for maximal standardization of head and relative jaw position. Left lateral view (L) with the head placed on a vacuum mattress (VM) and non-absorbing levitating carbon fiber table (CFT). The ventral mandibular plane (dashed line) which connects the most ventral rostral and caudal mandibular aspects (arrows) was oriented as parallel as possible to the CFT. For optimal object centralization within the gantry opening the intersection of the transversal (LAP_T) and coronal (LAP_C) laser alignment plane was positioned ~3–4 cm caudal to the rostral end of the facial crest. Since the laser patient positioning system is static, the horse and CFT had to be moved up and down. (D) The dorsal view shows orientation of the median laser alignment plane (LAP_M) along the median plane of the head and orthogonal LAP_T preferably parallel to adjacent symmetry axes (dotted lines, arrows). In the frontal view (F) ventral mandibular aspects should not exhibit rotation along a rostrocaudal axis.