Ch. 8 - Radiologic Examination of the Chest Flashcards
Clinically, x-rays are produced by an electronic device called __________.
X-ray tube
The ability of the x-rays to penetrate matter depends on what?
The density of the matter
A ventilation-perfusion lung scan can be used in determining the present of a ____________.
Pulmonary embolism
A radiodensity caused by fluid, tumor, inflammation, or scarring.
Pleural density
A large, thin-walled radiolucent area surrounded by normal lung tissue.
Bullae
A lesion in the lung that is 6 cm or more in diameter; commonly used to describe a pulmonary tumor.
Pulmonary mass
A density causes by interstitial thickening.
Interstitial density
A superficial air cyst protruding into the pleura; also called bullae.
Bleb
Any poorly defined radiodensity (white area); commonly used to describe an inflammatory lesion.
Infiltrate
A lesion in the lung that is less than 6 cm in diameter and composed of dense tissue; also called a solitary pulmonary nodule or coin lesion because its rounded, coinlike appearance
Pulmonary nodule
Any pathologic or traumatic alteration of tissue or loss of function of a part.
Lesion
A coarse reticular (netlike) density commonly seen in pneumoconiosis
Honeycombing
The act of becoming solid; commonly used to describe the solidification of the lung caused by a pathologic engorgement of the alveoli, as occurs in acute pneumonia.
Consolidation
A thin-walled radiolucent area surrounded by normal lung tissue
Air cyst
Permitting the passage of light (or in this cause, x-rays); commonly used to describe darker areas of the radiograph
Translucent (translucency)
Dense areas that appear white on the radiograph; the opposite of translucency.
Radiodensity
Refers to an uniformly dense lesion (white area); commonly used to describe solid tumors, fluid-containing cavities, or fluid in the pleural space
Homogenous density
A radiolucent (dark) area surrounded by dense tissue (white).
Cavity
A ____________ is the hallmark of a lung abscess.
Cavity
The absence of tissue marking may suggest:
- Pneumothorax
- Recent pneumonectomy
- Chronic obstructive lung disease (E.g emphysema) or may be the result of an overexposed graph
What does blunting of the costophrenic angle suggest?
Presence of fluid
Where is a stomach air bubble commonly seen?
Under the left hemidiaphragm
An outline of air-containing bronchi beyond the normal point of viability.
Bronchogram
State of being opaque (white); an opaque area or spot; impervious to light rays or by extension, x-rays; opposite of translucent or radiolucent
Opacity
A standard radiograph includes what two views?
- Posteroanterior radiograph
- Lateral radiograph (either right or left lateral)
How is the standard PA chest radiograph obtained?
By having the patient stand or sit in the upright position.
MRI is superior to CT in identifying:
- Congenital heart disorders
- Bone marrow diseases
- Adenopathy
- Lesions on the chest wall
What is the diameter of the average pulmonary capillary?
Approximately 8-10 µm
Normally, the left hilum is _____ higher than the right.
2 cm
On the PA projection, the ratio of the width of the heart to the thorax is normally less than _____.
1:2
What standard position is useful in the diagnosis of a suspected or known fluid accumulation in the pleural space?
Lateral decubitus
Normally, the right diaphragm is about 2 cm higher than left because of what?
The liver below it
At full inspiration, the diaphragmatic domes should be at the level of the _____________ posteriorly.
ninth to eleventh