Terms Flashcards
PA
posterior anterior
AP
anterior posterior
ALARA
as low as reasonably achievable
apex
the tip or point of a structure
ADC
analog to digital converter
artifact
an erroneous portion of an image that does not accurately represent the subject of the image
atelectasis
lung collapse
atlas
the C1 vertebra, a ringlike structure with no vertebral body and very short spinous process
axis
the C2 vertebra, the vertebra on which the atlas rotates so the head can turn from side to side
attenuation
absorption of the x-ray beam by matter, usually the human body
BMC
bone mineral content
BMD
bone mineral density
bremsstrahlung
one of two types of x-rays. created when electron enters the tungsten anode of the x-ray tube, misses the tungsten electrons, and gets very near the nucleus. then suddenly slows down and the loss of energy creates the x-ray
cardiophrenic
the inferior medial corners of the lungs
characteristic
one of two types of x-ray. created when an electron enters the tungsten anode of the x-ray tube and knocks out a k-shell electron, this creates the photon
CMOS
complementary metal oxide semiconductor -type of memory chip that uses a small rechargeable or lithium battery to retain information about the computers hardware while the computer is off
CR
computed radiography, cassette based
contrast resolution
the ability to distinguish adjacent anatomic structures of similar subject contrast
costophrenic angles
the inferior lateral corners of the lungs
cortical bone
dense, compact outer shell of all bones and the shafts of long bones
decubitus ulcer
a lesion that develops over bony prominences when pressure is exerted over time
defamation of character
disclosure of information that reflects negatively on a persons reputation
dens
a tooth or toothlike structure or process
DICOM
digital imaging and communications in medicine - universally accepted standard for storage, transmission, and display of medical images
DR
digital radiology, cassetteless
diode
an electronic device that permits current to flow in one direction only
DXA
duel-energy x-ray absorptiometry, bone density measurement technique using an x-ray source separated into two energies
EfD
effective dose, value used to calculate the upper limits of occupational exposure permissible
EqD
equivalent dose, the absorbed dose multiplied by a radiation weighing factor
EOP
external occipital protuberance, the palpable bony prominence in the approximate center of the occipital bone
fabella
the normal variation of a small sesamoid bone located posterior to the knee
fat pad sign
radiographic evidence of displacement of the fat pad in the joint region of the elbow that indicates a fracture
forced expiration test
a common spirometry used to test measure forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity
FRAX
an algorithm developed by WHO to evaluate fracture risk for patients, gives 10 year probability
glabella
the bony prominence on the frontal bone between the eyebrows
glottic closure
sudden cessation of exhalation caused by closure of the opening to the trachea
hilum
a depression or pit at the part of the organ where vessels and nerves enter
gonion
the angle of the mandible
iatrogenic
health care - related, as an infection
idiosyncratic
unusual or peculiar
inherent filtration
the filtration in the x-ray tube that is built in. includes the glass of the tube, the oil, and the light mirror
inverse square law
a law that states that x-ray intensity proportional to the square of the distance from the source
ischium
the posterior inferior portion of the innominate bone
lamina
any thin, flat layer of membrane or other bulkier tissue
libel
the malicious spreading of information that results in defamation of character or loss of reputation
LET
linear energy transfer - measure of the rate at which energy is transferred from ionizing radiation to human tissue
LUT
look-up table, data that are stored in substitute new values for each pixel during digital processing
lumen
the channel within a hollow tubelike structure
mental protuberance (point)
the prominence in the center of the mandibles lower margin
MTF
modulation transfer function - the measurement of recorded detail, sharpness, and spatial resolution. measures the ability of the system to display what was actually imaged
moral agent
the person responsible for implementing an ethical decision
MXA
morphometric x-ray absorptiometry
nasal conchae
six thin, curved, bony projections that divide the nasal cavities
nasion
the anterior depression in the midline of the skull between the orbits
NOF
national osteoporosis foundation
NHANES III
the third national health and nutrition examination survey
NAT
nonaccidental trauma - aka battered child syndrome
orthopnea
the inability to breathe when laying down
organic brain syndrome
the term for large group of disorders associated with brain damage or impaired cerebral function
PACS
picture archival and communications system
paget disease
a disease of the elderly that results in the softening and destruction of bone, followed by thickening and irregular calcification as the bone is repaired
parietal membrane
the lining of the bodies cavities
PSP
photostimulable phosphor, used in computed radiography plates (CR) to absorb the x-ray energy and store it until it is processed by a special unit and laser light
pledget
an alcohol swab or “prep”
quantum mottle
a grainy or mottled appearance of an image, usually caused by insufficient radiation exposure
sievert
(Sv) a unit measuring the effective radiation dose to a patient
smoothing
the result of averaging each pixels frequency with surrounding pixel values to remove high-frequency noise. aka low-pass filtering
spectral emission
the color of the light emitted by the phosphor of the x-ray screen
status epilepticus
prolonged or repeated seizures
stridor
harsh, high-pitched sound during respiration that is caused by obstruction of the bronchi
supine
the position in which a person is lying on the back, face up
synergistic
enhancing the effect of another drug or agent when the two are combined
thermionic emission
the process by which electrons are “boiled off” from the tungsten filament in the x-ray tube. occurs when the filament is heated during the x-ray exposure. electrons are then forced into the anode during exposure, creating x-rays
trabecular bone
delicate, lattice work structure within bones that adds strength without excessive weight
zygoma
the cheek bone
inverse square law
intensity of radiation decreases proportionally to the square of the distance from the x-ray source
Rotentgen
unit of exposure, defined as amount of ionization produced by a beam of radiation in air
extravasation
infiltration of IV fluid outside of vessel
bacquerel
measure of radioactive decay equal to disintegration per second
curie
standard measurement for radioactive decay
fission
splitting of something into two parts, also referred to as nuclear fission
pion
negatively charged particle produced by a complex process that requires acceleration of protons
anthropomorphic
simulating human form
carina
a prominent ridge of the lowest tracheal cartilage running anterioposteriorly between the orifices of the two main stem bronchi
contrecoup injury
brain injury caused by movement of the brain within the cranium that results from a severe blow to the head on the opposite side
enteral
via the digestive tract, refers to method of feeding or medication administration
