Intro To Rad Flashcards
What is an image created from x-rays?
a radiograph
What is the individual who takes Radiograph images of a patient?
Radiology technician (other professions do as well)
What is a specially trained (residency in most cases) individual who reads diagnostic imaging, including radiographs?
Radiologist
What is it called where the cathode and anode are in for taking an x-ray?
an X-ray tube
What determines where the x-rays go out of the x-ray tube?
the collimator
What is the positive and what is the negative side of the x-ray tube?
negative side–> cathode
positive side–> anode
What is the structure in the x-ray tube that will be hit by the electrons given off from the cathode?
the anode
What must the film be inside and why?
an X-ray cassette, so light doesn’t get in and expose the film
What does the x-ray cassette, holding the film, go inside?
the Bucky or image receptor
What is the color of the inside of the X-ray cassette?
white surface that will turn darker/glow once photons hit it
If the area on the film is darker, what does this tell us about the number of photons that hit it?
more photons hit cassette and exposed it
If the area on the film is lighter, what does this tell us about the number of photons that hit it?
no photons or few photons hit the cassette due to the anatomy (bone) stopping them
Where are the electrons created for an x-ray?
at the cathode
Where do the electrons for an x-ray accelerate from and to?
from the cathode to the anode
What is the piece of metal the electrons hit to make x-rays?
anode
What exposes the film?
the glowing of the cassette due to x-rays that pass through the patient
What color on the film will the area that doesn’t glow in the cassette be?
white
Will a darker film have a higher or lower density? Will this indicate more or less x-ray exposure?
darker film = higher density = more x-ray exposure
more x-rays made it through and hit film
Will a lighter film have a higher or lower density? Will this indicate more or less x-ray exposure?
lighter film = lower density = less x-ray exposure (to cassette and it does NOT flow and expose the film)
The optical/radiographic (film) density reflects the number of _________ that make it to the film and expose it.
photons
Will more photons making it to the film create a blacker or whiter film?
blacker film– more density
What is the area of blackness where it should be white referred to as?
Radiolucent (lucency)
What is the area of whiteness where it should be black referred to as?
Radiopaque (opacity)
What is the term for more whiteness than normal (bone) on a film?
Sclerotic (sclerosis)
What is the term for the amount of difference b/w visible shades?
contrast
Is there more or less contrast when there is a big difference b/w visible sheets?
more contrast
When there is a little difference b/w shades, is this less or more contrast?
less contrast
If there are more shades of gray, is this considered to have more or less contrast?
less contrast
T/F. Contrast and shades of gray are opposite to another.
True– b/c the higher the contrast, the less shades of gray there are and vice versa
Will low and high contrast have higher kVp?
low contrast
Will high contrast have higher or lower kVp?
lower kVp
Will high or low contrast have intense blacks and whites?
high contrast
Are low or high contrast films better for skeletal films? What type of kVp will this have?
high contrast; low kVp
Will the amount of shades of gray increase or decrease with an increase in kVp?
increase in shades of gray
If we increase the kVp, what happens to the contrast?
the contrast decreases
Will a higher or lower kVp have more Compton scattering (more variation in the x-ray beam)?
higher the kVp
What are the 5 Primary Radiographic Densities? List in order from most black to most white.**
- Air (most black/leucent)
- Fat
- Water
- Bone
- Metal (most white/opaque)
How many views must we have in order to appreciate an objects 3D characteristics?
2 views!!!
What is the view called that as if the patient was facing you–> R on L?
Anatomical View (typical way that radiologists look at films)
What is the view called that is as if the patient was facing away from you– R on R?
Surgical view (typical way that chiropractors and spine surgeons look at films)
What is the view called that chiropractors look at films?
Surgical view
R on R
L on L
What does Recumbent mean?
laying down; not standing
Could be:
- prone
- supine
- lateral recumbent
What is the term for when one is laying down on their side?
lateral recumbent
Describe the positioning of a patient for a A-P film.
front to back; back toward film
x-rays enter anterior aspect of patient first
Describe the positioning of a patient for a P-A film.
back to front; front toward film
Describe the positioning of a patient for a Left Lateral film.
side-view with left side toward film
therefore right side is closest to x-ray tube
Describe the positioning of a patient for a Lateral film.
side-view with side toward film
Describe the positioning of a patient for a Oblique film.
angled view; usually 45 degrees
At what osseous level/landmark is the mastoid tip at?
C1
At what osseous level/landmark is the thyroid/laryngeal cartilage at?
C4
At what osseous level/landmark is the vertebral prominens at?
C7
At what osseous level/landmark is the sternal notch at
T2
At what osseous level/landmark is the sternal angle at?
T4
At what osseous level/landmark is the xyphoid tip at?
T10
At what osseous level/landmark is the iliac crest at?
L4/L5
At what osseous level/landmark is the ASIS at?
S2
At what osseous level/landmark is the Greater trochanter at?
coccyx tip and pubic symphysis
When we mark lateral views, what is the marker indicating about the patient placement?
side of the patient that is closet to the film at the time the film as taken; the side that is touching the Bucky
When we take an extremity film what is the Mitchell Marker indicating?
the side the extremity is on
When we take a spine film, what is the Mitchell Marker indicating?
the anatomically correct side
What of the patient is touching the image receptor (Bucky) for a Right Posterior oblique (RPO) film?
right posterior toward film
What of the patient is touching the image receptor (Bucky) for a Left Posterior Oblique (LPO) film?
Left posterior toward film
What of the patient is touching the image receptor (Bucky) for a Right anterior oblique (RAO) film?
Right anterior toward film
What of the patient is touching the image receptor (Bucky) for a Left Anterior Oblique (LAO) film?
Left anterior toward film
