C's Flashcards
central beam
X-ray photons in the middle of the x-ray beam.
cervical spondylopathy
Refers to deformity of vertebral bodies, narrowing of the vertebral canal, vertebral instability, and/or malarticulation with varying degrees of spinal cord compression in the neck.
cholangiography
A radiographic contrast study of the bile ducts.
cholecystocholangiography
A radiographic contrast study of the gall bladder and bile ducts.
cholelith
A concretion in the gall bladder
choledocolith
A concretion in a bile duct
chondrodysplasia
Inherited deformities of the bony skeleton caused by abnormal cartilage development. Affected animals are characterized by a normal-sized trunk with abnormally shortened limbs.
chondrodystrophic
Refers to an animal exhibiting chondrodysplasia (e.g., Dachshund, Bassett Hound). Term often is used interchangeably with achondrodysplastic
chondroma
A benign, slow-growing tumor of cartilage, more often occurring in flat bones (e.g., scapula, pelvis, ribs) and appearing as a well-defined, expansile mass that is less opaque than surrounding bone. A chondroma may contain mineralized components.
chylothorax
Accumulation of chyle in the pleural space, often secondary to rupture of the thoracic duct.
chylous effusion
Accumulation of chylous fluid in the pleural space, may be associated with heart failure, mediastinal neoplasia, or mediastinitis.
cineradiography (cineflurography)
The making of a video record directly from a fluorescent screen (i.e., recording of real-time radiographic imaging.)
clock face analogy
Technique used to approximate the locations of cardiac chambers by mentally superimposing the numbers of a clock face over the cardiac silhouette on alateral or ventrodorsal/dorsoventral thoracic radiograph
Codman’s triangle
Occurs when aggressive soft tissue opacity material wedges between a mineralized periosteal response and the underlying cortex. The periosteal response may appear solid, well-defined, and homogeneous in this area, giving the erroneous appearance of a benign, inactive lesion (which is not the true nature of the disease process). Codman’s triangle develops at the periphery of a rapidly growing disease process, usually on the diaphyseal side.during exposure to blur the grid lines. Modern grid lines are very thin and only faintly visible; therefore, a Bucky may not be necessary with modern equipment.
calcification
The normal or abnormal deposition of calcium salts in soft tissues.
calcinosis
Abnormal deposition of calcium salts in various
tissues.
- calcinosis cutis: Calcium deposits in the skin, often secondary to hypercorticosterism.
- calcinosis circumscripta (tumoral calcinosis): Deposits of
calcium in subcutaneous, tendinous, ligamentous, or muscular
tissues as firm, well-circumscribed, tumorlike nodules; typically occurring on limbs, over bony prominences, and under foot pads.
calvarium
The upper, domelike part of the skull, formed by the frontal, parietal, and occipital bones; the encasement for the brain.
cancellous bone
The trabeculated, spongy, or porous bone found in ends of long bones, in vertebrae, and in flat bones.
canine leukocyte adhesion disorder (CLAD)
Rare inherited condition of abnormal granulocytes resulting in mandibular periosteal response and metaphyseal flaring.
carcinomatosis
Widespread distribution of neoplasia throughout a body cavity; commonly used to describe diffuse implantation of tumor nodules within the peritoneal space (e.g., pancreatic carcinoma).
cardiac silhouette
Outline of the pericardial sac and its contents as seen on a thoracic radiograph.
cartilage joint
Two or more bones united by hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage (e.g., costochondral junctions, pelvic symphysis).
cassette
A light-tight, semirigid container used to house and protect x-ray film and screens or a phosphor-coated imaging plate during exposure and transport to processing
cathode
The negative terminal in the x-ray tube. Cathode (filament) emits electrons, which are attracted to the anode (positive terminal). Current flows from cathode to anode. In x-ray tubes, the cathode commonly consists of a helical tungsten filament, behind which is a molybdenum reflector cup used to focus the electron emission toward the anode target.
caudal
Toward the tail or hind part of the body. Also used to designate the flexor side of a limb proximal to the carpus and tarsus (Figure 2.22).
caudocranial
Refers to the path of the x-ray beam (x-rays enter the caudal aspect of the body part and exit the cranial
aspect).
cretinism (congenital hypothyroidism)
Disproportionate dwarfism caused by abnormal development of the thyroid gland, defective thyroid hormone synthesis, or
iodine deficiency.
cut back zone
Refers to the area in a long bone where the wider metaphysis is actively remodeling to become the more-narrow diaphysis. The bony margins in the cut back zone normally appear indistinct and may be mistaken for pathology (e.g., hypertrophic osteodystrophy, osteomyelitis, trauma).
cystography
A radiographic contrast study of the urinary bladder. Cystogram. Pneumocystogram.
coin lesion
A descriptive term referring to a pulmonary nodule approximately 1 cm in diameter.
collimation
Process of restricting the size and shape of the x-ray beam to the area of interest. Collimation helps reduce scatter radiation, which improves image quality and reduces radiation exposure to nearby personnel.
collimator
An adjustable device used to restrict the size and shape of the x-ray beam and which is attached near the x-ray tube.
comparison radiographs
Images made of the side opposite to the one being investigated or images of a similar subject (e.g., littermate) or known normal subject, used to aid in distinguishing normal from abnormal.
compression radiography
Technique used to (1) displace relatively movable structures to improve visualization of more fixed structures (i.e., displacement of overlying intestine to better visualize kidney, urinary bladder, colon, or uterus) or (2) separate the digits during radiography of a foot. A low-density plastic paddle or wooden spoon is used to gently compress the abdomen or foot. Abdominal compression is contraindicated in animals with pain, tense abdomen, or peritoneal effusion. X-ray exposure usually is decreased to accommodate thinner body thickness.
computed tomography (CT)
A diagnostic imaging procedure that creates cross-sectional views of a body part using x-rays and computers. The source of x-rays rotates around the patient, transmitting a thin x-ray beam through the body part to detectors on the opposite side. CT images have inherent high contrast and eliminate superimposition of overlying structures. consolidation: Refers to pathology of the lung in which alveolar air has been replaced by organized cellular exudate or by invasion of neoplastic cells.
contralateral
Pertaining to the opposite side. contrast media: Compounds or materials used to increase or decrease opacity to create an opacity interface between an examined structure and the adjacent tissues.
contrast study
A radiographic procedure using a positive or negative contrast agent to enhance visualization of an organ or structure that is inadequately seen on survey radiographs. A contrast study is only indicated if it will provide information not available on survey radiographs and will assist the clinician in managing the case or in developing a diagnosis without harming the patient.
contusion
A local area of hemorrhage or bruising.
cortical bone
The dense, homogeneous bone that forms the shaft of long bones and the outer layer of small and cuboidal bones.
compensatory emphysema
Refers to overexpansion of one part of a lung in response to consolidation or collapse in another part (also called compensatory hyperinflation).
