Radiology Physics

Question 1

what is the purpose of the anode?

Answer 1

rotate to dissipate heat
convert electrons to x-rays

Question 2

what is the purpose of the aluminum filter at the bottom of the x-ray tube?

Answer 2

absorb low levels of radiation

Question 3

what is the cable that comes out of the x-ray tube that has a negative charge?

Answer 3

cathode

Question 4

what is the cable that comes out of the x-ray tube that has a positive charge?

Answer 4

anode

Question 5

what is the function of the anode filament?

Answer 5

convert electrons to x-ray photons

Question 6

what is the anode made of?

Answer 6

molybdenum or tungsten

Question 7

why do the electrons travel from cathode to anode?

Answer 7

large difference in voltage between the two

Question 8

what makes the vacuum tube so that obstructions are removed from the electrons reaching the anode?

Answer 8

glass tube
silicon dioxide

Question 9

what is x-ray photon attenuation?

Answer 9

reduction in intensity as the electron traverses the matter
caused by absorption or deflection

Question 10

what are the factors that affect x-ray attenuation?

Answer 10

thickness of tissue
different tissues
effective atomic number
physical density of body tissues
x-ray tube kilovoltage employed
x-ray filtration

Question 11

what is the kVp?

Answer 11

peak voltage
max high voltage applied

Question 12

the higher the mA, the _______ the amount of electrons

Answer 12

higher

Question 13

what do x-rays hitting the detector cause?

Answer 13

exposure: black

Question 14

when orienting a radiograph of lateral recumbency, which direction should the head be?

Answer 14

to your left

Question 15

when orienting a radiograph of VD/DV, which direction should the apex of the heart be pointing?

Answer 15

to your right
right side of animal to your left

Question 16

how does magnification occur?

Answer 16

if one object is closer to the x-ray tube, it will appear larger in comparison to one that is further away

Question 17

what is distortion?

Answer 17

uneven magnification
foreshortened femur on radiograph

Question 18

what is the summation effect?

Answer 18

when objects are superimposed, the final opacity is the result of the total x-ray absorption by all superimposed objects

Question 19

what is the silhouette effect?

Answer 19

when two structures of the same radiopacity are in contact, their margins cannot be distinguished

Question 20

why are two views at a 90 degree angle needed?

Answer 20

depth perception

Question 21

what is bremsstrahlung?

Answer 21

electromagnetic radiation produced by the deceleration of a charged particle when deflected by another charged particle

Question 22

what does the window layer do?

Answer 22

provides vacuum seal and protects components

Question 23

what is mAs?

Answer 23

mA: tube current
s: how long the mA will last
(mA) x (s)

Question 24

what does higher mAs mean?

Answer 24

higher amount x-rays
darker image

Question 25

if there is an x-ray with a bone that is more radiopaque, how do you say this?

Answer 25

increased area of bone density
increased bone or mineral opacity