Chapters 3-4: Radiation Biology & Radiation Protection Flashcards
Define the term: radiation biology
the study of the effects of ionizing radiation on living tissues
Define the term: absorption
the total transfer of energy from the x-ray photon to the atoms of matter through which the x-ray beam passes
Define the term: ionizing radiation
radiation capable of producing ions
Define the term: ionization
the process of converting an atom into an ion, resulting in the formation of a positive atom and a dislodged negative electron
Define the term: exposure
a measure of ionization produced in the air by x-radiation or gamma radiation
Define the term: collimation
the restriction of the size and shape of the x-ray beam in order to reduce patient exposure
Define the term: image receptor
a recording medium (ex: PSP plates or digital sensors)
Define the term: imaging technique
the style and process of exposing image receptors (ex: paralleling, bisecting, panoramic)
Define the term: primary beam
the penetrating x-ray beam produced at the target of the anode and exits the x-ray tubehead
Define the term: scatter radiation
a form of secondary radiation that results from an x-ray beam that has been deflected from its path by the interaction with matter
What are considered exposure factors?
factors that influence the diagnostic quality of an image (ex: kilovoltage, milliamperage, exposure time settings)
Define the term: diagnostic image
a dental image that allows for the identifying and monitoring of diseases or injuries
Define the term: non-diagnostic image
an image that has undergone exposure or technique errors that cannot be used in the proper diagnosis of disease or injuries, and must be retaken
List the two mechanisms of radiation injury.
- ionization
- free radical formation
Explain the ionization mechanism of radiation injury.
- x-rays are a form of ionizing radiation that interact with and are absorbed by tissues
- the kinetic energy caused during absorption can cause further ionization
- these chemical changes can result in biologic damage to cells
Define the term: free radical
an uncharged, neutral atom or molecule that exists with a dingle, unpaired electron in its outermost shell
What is the primary mechanism of radiation injury in dental imaging?
free radical formation
List the two theories of radiation injury.
- direct theory
- indirect theory
What is the direct theory of radiation injury?
cell damage results when ionizing radiation directly hits critical areas within th ecell
What is the indirect theory of radiation injury?
x-ray photons are absorbed within the cell and cause the formation of toxins, which in turn damage the cell
Which theory of radiation injury is the least likely to occur in dental imaging?
direct theory
Define the term: radiation injury
biologic effects on tissues as a result of the exposure to radiation
True or false: All ionizing radiations are harmful and produce biologic damage.
True
What is the purpose of a dose-response curve?
to correlate the response or damage of tissues with the dose or amount of radiation recieved
List the two types of radiation effects on human tissue.
- stochastic effects
- nonstochastic effects
What are stochastic effects of radiation?
- biologic effects of radiation that occur as a direct function of dose
- the probability of occurence increases with increasing absorbed dose; however, the severity of effects does not depend on the magnitude of absorbed dose
What are nonstochastic effects of radiation?
effects of radiation that have a threshold and increase in severity with increasing absorbed dose
Leukemia and other types of cancers are examples of which type of radiation effect?
stochastic effects
Cataract formation, decreased fertility and radiation sickness are all examples of whihc type of radiation effect?
nonstochastic effects
After exposure, what are the next steps in radiation injury?
- latent period
- period of injury
- recovery period
What is the latent period in radiation injury?
the time that elapses between exposure to ionizing radiation and the appearance of observable clinical signs
What determines the length of the latent period in radiation injury?
the total dose of radiation or the rate/total time of radiation
What is the period of injury in radiation injury?
the sequence of radiation injury that occurs after the latent period following exposure to radiation that can include a variety of cellular injuries
What is the recovery period of radiation injury?
the sequence of radiation injury during which cellular damage caused by radiation begins to repair