A navigation rectangle controls display of medical images in a multi-display system. Multiple thumbnail sized medical images are displayed on a control panel. Each navigation rectangle encompasses one or more thumbnail size medical images on the control panel. In turn, images, corresponding to the thumbnail size medical images encompassed by the navigation rectangle, are displayed on a monitor that corresponds to the navigation rectangle. The user may fully move the navigation rectangle to select any images within an exam, and the user may resize the navigation rectangle to include or exclude images. The user may move images in and out of the navigation rectangle.