(38) foundations of radiography Flashcards
ALARA concept
Concept of radiation protection that states that all exposures should be kept “as low as reasonably achievable.”
anode
The positive electrode in the x-ray tube.
ampere
aunit of electric current
atom
The basic unit of matter.
bremsstrahlung radiation
“Braking radiation.” The sudden deceleration of electrons as they interact with highly positively charged nuclei.
cathode
The negative electrode in the x-ray tube.
central ray
X-rays at the center of the beam
contrast
Differences in degrees of blackness on an image.
control panel
The portion of the x-ray unit that contains the master switch, the indicator light, the selector buttons, and the exposure button.
density
The overall darkness or blackness of an image.
dental radiography
The process of recording images of the teeth and adjacent structures by exposure to x-radiation.
digital imagining
A filmless method of capturing an image and displaying it by using an image receptor, an electronic signal, and a computer to process and store the image.
distortion
Change in the size of an image caused by incorrect vertical angulation.
dose ( of radiation )
The amount of energy absorbed by tissues.
dosimeter
A device used to detect and measure an accumulated dosage of radiation.
electron
A negatively charged particle in the atom.
energy
The ability to do work.
extension arm
Flexible arm that is attached to the x-ray tubehead.
genetic effect
Effects of radiation that are passed on to future generations through genetic cells.
image
Film-based or digitally produced recordings of anatomic structures.
image receptor
A recording medium for an image, normally film, phosphor storage plate (PSP), or a digital sensor.
intensity
The total energy of the x-ray beam.
ion
An electrically charged particle.
ionization
Process by which electrons are removed from atoms, causing the harmful effects of radiation in humans.
ionizing
Radiation that produces ionization, resulting in harmful effects.
kilovoltage peak
Highest voltage of x-ray tube used during an exposure.
latent
Time between exposure to ionizing radiation and appearance of symptoms.
lead apron
Device used to protect the reproductive and blood-forming tissues from scatter radiation.
magnification
The proportional enlargement of an image
master switch, indicator light, selector buttons, exposure button
Components of control panel.
Matter Anything that occupies space and has form or shape.
matter
Anything that occupies space and has form or shape.
milliampere
One one-thousandth (1/1000) of an ampere; a unit of measurement used to describe the intensity of an electrical current.
penumbra
The blurred or indistinct area that surrounds an image.
personal radiation monitoring badge
A device that measures exposure of personnel to ionizing radiation by measuring the intensity of visible light emitted from a crystal in the detector when heated. The intensity of light emitted is dependent upon the radiation exposure.
photon
A minute (tiny) bundle of pure energy that has no weight or mass
primary beam
The most penetrating beam produced at the target of the anode.
primary radiation
Same as primary beam.
quality ( of x ray beam )
The mean energy or penetrating ability of the x-ray beam.
quantity ( of x ray beam )
The mean energy or penetrating ability of the x-ray beam.r
radiation
Forms of waves of energy emission through space or material.
radiograph
Image produced on photosensitive film by exposing the film to radiation and then processing it.
radiology
The science or study of radiation as used in medicine..
scatter radiation
A form of secondary radiation that occurs when an x-ray beam has been deflected from its path by interaction with matter.
secondary radiation
X-radiation that is created when the primary beam interacts with matter.
sensor
A solid-state image receptor that contains a silicon chip with an electric circuit.
sharpness
A measure of how well an image reproduces the fine details or outline of an object.
somatic
Effects of radiation that cause illness and are responsible for poor health (such as cancer, leukemia, and cataracts) but are not passed on to offspring.
thyroid collar
A flexible lead shield that is placed securely around the neck.
tubehead
The part of the x-ray unit that contains the x-ray tube, the high-voltage and low-voltage transformers, and insulating oil.
tungsten target
A focal spot in the anode.
x-radiation
High-energy ionizing electromagnetic radiation
