Test #2 Flashcards
This refers to the overall blackening of the finished radiograph
Radiographic/Optical density
As the mAs is increased, the quantity of radiation is _______ & the optical density is ______
Increased: Increased
Increasing kVp does what to density?
Increases it
What is the 15% rule?
A 15% increase in kVp will have the same effect on density as doubling the mAs. A 15% decrease in kVp will have the same effect on density as decreasing the mAs by 1/2
What is the Inverse Square Law?
The intensity of the x-ray beam is inversely proportionate to the square distance from the source
Increase in SID requires that what is increased to maintain density?
mAs
A faster film-screen system speed does what to density?
Increases it
What is the variation in densities on the radiograph called?
Radiographic contrast
Radiographic contrast is the product of what 2 major factors?
Film contrast
Subject contrast
What is a controlling factor of contrast?
kVp
What are controlling factors of density?
Milliamperage
Time
How do influencing factors affect contrast?
By controlling the amount of scatter that reaches the film
How do grids affect contrast?
By absorbing much of the scatter that exits the pt before it reaches the film
How does collimation affect contrast?
Less collimation irradiates more tissue causing more scatter which causes less contrast
How does tissue thickness affect contrast?
Increase the thickness of tissue increases scatter causing decrease in contrast
What is geometric unsharpness along the edges of the film called? It’s greatest on the cathode side of the tube.
Penumbra
What effect does an increase in focal spot size have on recorded detail?
Increases unsharpness which decreases in recorded detail
What does increasing the SID do to recorded detail?
Decreases unsharpness which increases recorded detail
What does increasing the OID do to recorded detail?
Increases unsharpness which decreases recorded detail
Misrepresentation of either the size or shape of the anatomical part
Distortion
Distortion is caused by what?
d/t inaccurate alignment of the central ray w/ the part being images or the film
What is the function of beam restrictors?
Changes the size & shape of the primary beam
What are the types of beam restrictors?
Aperture diaphram
Cones & cylinders
Variable aperture diaphragm/collimator
This type of beam restrictor has fixed field sizes, is heavy, and is used for dental & skull xrays
Cones & cylinders
This is the M/C’ly used beam restricting device. It has 2 adjustable sets of shutter leaves.
Variable aperture diaphragm/collimator
This is the simplest of beam restrictors. Only produces one field size. Used in dedicated chest equipt., tomo., & CT
Aperture diaphram
When the film is clamped into the tray, this sensing device in the tray sends a signal to the collimator & it automatically restricts the beam to film size & provides unexposed borders all around the film
Positive Beam Limiting Device (PBL)
This device is placed b/w the pt & the film to decrease the amount of scatter reaching the film
Grid