Radiology - Positioning Terminology

Question 1

Radiograph

Answer 1

An image of patient’s anatomic parts, as produced by the action of x-rays on an image receptor.

Question 2

Radiography

Answer 2

The process and procedures of producing a radiograph.

Question 3

Radiograph vs X-ray film

Answer 3

Radiograph and x-ray film are used interchangeably, however, x-ray films are physical pieces of material on which a latent (nonprocessed) radiographic image is stored.

Question 4

Image Receptor

Answer 4

The device that captures the radiographic image that exits the patient; refers to both film-screen cassettes and digital acquisition devices.

Question 5

Central ray

Answer 5

Refers to the centermost portion of the x-ray beam emitted from the x-ray tube - the portion of the x-ray beam that has the least divergence.

Question 6

Radiographic examination

Answer 6

1. Positioning of body part and alignment with the IR and CR
2. Applicaiton of radiation protection measures and devices
3. Selection of exposure factors (radiographic technique)
4. Instsructions to the patient related to respiration (breathing) and initiation of the x-ray exposure.
5. Processing of the IR (film-based [chemical processing] or computed radiography image receptor [digital processing] systems)