As long as radiography remains cheap and provides value in patient care, it will continue to be widely used as a front-line imaging technique. There are limitations to what a radiograph can depict, however. It is imperative to understand the limitations of radiography to avoid pitfalls owing to the overlap of numerous osseous structures. This article reminds the reader of the association between certain radiographic abnormalities and the anatomic relevance in the patient. Although interpretive errors occur in fast-paced, high-volume emergency settings, meticulous attention to changes in the cortex and medullary bone may help to keep errors to a minimum.