Intro to Imaging

Question 1

How to radiographs work?

Answer 1

They visualize an image created by an x-ray traveling through the body structure

Question 2

Define attenuation

Answer 2

the degree to which the tissue absorbs or scatters the x-rays before they hit the recording medium

Question 3

What factors affect attenuation of a structure?

Answer 3

the thickness of the tissue it’s passing through, it’s atomic number, and the density of the tissue

Question 4

What does a higher attenuation signify?

Answer 4

The structure is more radiodense, the x-rays will pass through less, and more white will show on the medium

Question 5

What does a lower attenuation signify?

Answer 5

The structure is more radiolucent, x-rays will pass through to a greater extent, and the structure will appear blacker

Question 6

Give examples for different degrees of attenuation (1-4)

Answer 6

1: air
2: fat
3: water (muscles/soft tissue)
4: bone

Question 7

Define radiodense

Answer 7

absorbs and scatters the x-rays to the largest degree

Question 8

Define radiolucent

Answer 8

least attenuating

Question 9

Define radioopaque

Answer 9

Not naturally occurring in the body; high atomic numbers, highest in the radiodensity scale

Question 10

Define contrast

Answer 10

The degree to adjacent structures differ in attenuation

Question 11

How should the structure be oriented when taking the radiograph image?

Answer 11

Whatever’s being visualized should be closest to the recording medium (usually Anterior to Posterior)
P to A in feet, hands, and chest

Question 12

How should the radiograph be orientated when reading it?

Answer 12

should be viewed in correct anatomical position

view the hand and foot as taken, but view chest in anatomical position

Question 13

What does the position entail in imaging?

Answer 13

general and body position

Question 14

What does the projection entail in imaging?

Answer 14

Orientation of the structure:
either A to P, P to A, Lateral, or oblique
Never assess only one view

Question 15

When examining a radiograph, what factors are you assessing?

Answer 15

ABC's
Alignment
Bone density
Cartilage assessment
Soft tissue assessment

Question 16

What alignment factors are you observing?

Answer 16

size, number, shape, and contour

bone and joint positions

Question 17

What bone density factors are you observing?

Answer 17

Cortical bone should be bright white; fine white lines of tribeculae indicate normal, healthy bone

Question 18

What indicates poor bone density?

Answer 18

Sclerosis: increased whiteness than what is usual (lack of cartilage and bone on bone action)
Osteopenia: bone is less dense than it is supposed to be

Question 19

What factors are you looking for in cartilage assessment?

Answer 19

space b/w the joints should be radiolucent, equal and big

bone on bone is cartilage depletion

Question 20

What factors are you looking for in soft tissue assessment?

Answer 20

abnormal degree of contrast during trauma

fat pad sign: indicates joint fracture