Radiographs Flashcards
What are radiographs?
x-rays or films in layman terms
What is attenuation?
the degree to which the tissue absorbs or scatters the x-rays before they hit the recording medium
what is radiodense?
substances that have a higher degree of attenuation (bone)
What is radiolucent?
substance that have lower degree of attenuation (air)
What is radiopaque?
substance no natural to the body (barium, metal)
What is contrast?
the relative shade of difference and density between two adjacent structure
What is the setup of a radiograph?
Standard anterior to posterior or standard to A to P
What are the exceptions to the A to P rule?
chest, hands and feet
what is the projection?
path of the x-ray
What are the A, B, C’s alignment?
alignment
bone density
cartilage space
soft tissue
what is alignment (A)?
Size, number, shape, and contour
Bone and joint position
Most common cause of malalignment is trauma, including fracture, joint laxity or dislocation
What is bone density?
Looks at bone quality (degree of mineralization; general and local look at trabecular bone
Normal bone should be radiopaque
Observe contrast between cortical and spongy bone
Osteopenia
What is cartilage space assessment?
Compare joint spaces between sides or to adjacent joint spaces
What is soft tissue assessment?
Gross visualization of muscles
Joint capsules will only be visible under abnormal conditions
Gross swelling (fat pad sign)
