Exam 2 Study Guide Flashcards
Shadow; the image of the object we receive:
Umbra
Edge gradient; the unsharp area; area around the margins of the object:
Penumbra
What do we try to minimize in a radiographic image?
Penumbra
How do we minimize penumbra?
By having an increased source to object ratio
Because there are multiple X-ray photons that come and interact with the edges of the object, it creates a blurry margin we refer to as:
Penumbra
Three factors that affect the quality of the radiograph:
- image sharpness
- image magnification
- image shape distortion
Equal enlargement:
Magnification
Unequal enlargement:
Shape distortion
Enlargement of the radiographic image, compared to the actual size of the object:
Magnification
Image shows true shape of object:
Magnification
What does magnification have to do with?
The DIVERGENCE due to the distance of the receptor, object, and beam
Variation from the true shape of an object and unequal magnification of certain parts of the object:
Shape distortion
What does shape distortion have to do with?
Improperalignment/ANGULATION of receptor, object and beam
Three ways to maximize image sharpness:
- radiation source
- source-to-object distance
- object-to-receptor distance
Discuss the radiation source if we are trying to maximize image sharpness:
Radiation source should be as small as possible (smaller focal= greater sharpness because there are fewer photons interacting with the object)
Smaller focal spot= _____ sharpness
greater sharpness
Smaller radiation source = _____ focal spot = ______ sharpness
smaller; greater
Although a smaller radiation source is a mechanism to maximize image sharpness, this is not something:
we can control after machinery is bought
Discuss the source-to-object distance if we are trying to maximize image sharpness:
Source-to-object distance should be as long as possible
How can source-to-object distance be controlled when trying to maximize image sharpness?
Can be controlled by length of cone
(larger cone = increased sharpness due to decreased divergence)
Larger cone= ______ sharpness, due to ________
increased; decreased divergence
Discuss the object-to-receptor distance if we are trying to maximize image sharpness:
object-to-receptor distance should be as short as possible
(get tooth as close to image receptor as possible)
If we are trying to increase image sharpness by adjusting object-to-receptor distance, how do we control this?
Can be controlled by where operator places image receptor
When trying to maximize sharpness discuss what you should do to the following:
- radiation source
- source-to-object distance
- object-to-receptor distance
- radiation source should be as small as possible (can’t be adjusted after buying though)
- source-to-object distance should be as long as possible (controlled by length of cone- larger cone= sharper image)
- object-to-receptor distance should be as short as possible (controlled by operator placement of image receptor)