Vocab

Question 1

Ampere

Answer 1

unit of measurement of electric current

Question 2

Anode

Answer 2

A positively charged terminal which acts as a target for the electrons from the cathode in the x-ray tube.

Question 3

Bucky Tray-

Answer 3

a mechanical device that consists of a grid within a diaphragm, which moves the grid across the x-ray beam during exposure.

Question 4

Caliper

Answer 4

a device used to measure the thickness of anatomic parts.

Question 5

Cathode

Answer 5

a negatively charged terminal that provides a source of electrons in the x-ray tube.

Question 6

Collimator

Answer 6

a restricting device used to control the size of the primary beam

Question 7

Dosimeter

Answer 7

a device used to measure radiation exposure to personnel.

Question 8

Exposure time

Answer 8

the period of time during which x-rays are permitted to leave the tube.

Question 9

Fixer

Answer 9

chemical solution that removes unexposed silver halide crystals from a film and causes the film to harden.

Question 10

Focal Spot

Answer 10

the small area of the anode where accelerated electrons from the cathode collide.

Question 11

Frequency

Answer 11

the number of cycles of an electromagnetic wave that pass a stationary point in a second.

Question 12

Gray (Gy)-

Answer 12

unit of radiation exposure measurement One Gray equals 100 rads

Question 13

Grid

Answer 13

a device made of lead strips imbedded in a spacing material, placed between the patient and the film, designed to absorb non-image forming radiation.

Question 14

Ionization

Answer 14

a process in which an outer electron is removed from the atom so that the atom is positively charged.

Question 15

Kilovoltage

Answer 15

the amount of electrical energy used to create an electrical potential difference between the cathode and the anode, which is responsible for accelerating the electrons from the cathode to the anode.

Question 16

Kilovoltage Peak (kVp)

Answer 16

the maximum energy of the z-rays being produced, which determines their penetrating power.

Question 17

Milliamperage (mA)

Answer 17

the amount of electrical current being applied to the filament, which is responsible for the number of x-rays produced during an exposure.

Question 18

Milliamperage-Second (mA-s)

Answer 18

Milliamperage-Second (mA-s) – The number of x-rays produced over a given period of time. Calculated by multiplying the milliamperage by the exposure time.

Question 19

Nonscreen film

Answer 19

film that is more sensitive to x-rays than fluorescent light

Question 20

Primary x-ray beam

Answer 20

The path that x-rays follow as they leave the x-ray tube.

Question 21

Rad (roentgen absorbed dose)

Answer 21

unit of measurement for the amount of ionizing radiation to which personnel are exposed.

Question 22

Radiograph

Answer 22

a visible photographic record on film produced by x-rays passing through an object.

Question 23

Radiolucent

Answer 23

property of being partly or wholly penetrable by x-rays.

Question 24

Radiopaque

Answer 24

property of being impenetrable by x-rays.

Question 25

Rem (roentgen equivalent man)

Answer 25

unit of measurement which not only measures the amount of ionizing radiation to which personnel are exposed, but also its propensity to cause biologic damage.

Question 26

Sante’s Rule

Answer 26

a method of estimating kilovoltage in relation to area thickness.

Question 27

Screen Film

Answer 27

film that is more sensitive to fluorescent light than x-rays

Question 28

Source-Image Distance (SID)

Answer 28

the distance between the source of x-rays (the tube) and the image receptor (film).

Question 29

Sievert (Sv)

Answer 29

unit of radiation exposure to personnel that also takes into account the amount of radiation absorbed and its biologic effect. One Sievert equals 100 rem.

Question 30

Speed

Answer 30

indicates the amount of radiation (x-rays) required by a film or intensifying screen to produce an adequate radiograph.