a method of x - ray photography or a method of some other type of radiation sensoring , such as electronic image storage , employs the use of a receptor unit which can be swung outwards and upwards from an initial position in or beneath a patient support table about alternative pivot centers disposed in the region of respective side edges of the table to alternative positions for operating with a horizontal beam path . the receptor unit can be swung out about a vertical axis from these positions in which it is parallel with the longitudinal direction of the table to a position in which it is parallel with the longitudinal direction of the table to a position in which the unit is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the table , to enable pictures to be taken of a patient seated in a wheelchair , for instance . the invention also relates to a patient support table provided with a receptor unit of this kind .