Vocab Flashcards
Ampere
unit of measurement of electric current
Anode
A positively charged terminal which acts as a target for the electrons from the cathode in the x-ray tube.
Bucky Tray-
a mechanical device that consists of a grid within a diaphragm, which moves the grid across the x-ray beam during exposure.
Caliper
a device used to measure the thickness of anatomic parts.
Cathode
a negatively charged terminal that provides a source of electrons in the x-ray tube.
Collimator
a restricting device used to control the size of the primary beam
Dosimeter
a device used to measure radiation exposure to personnel.
Exposure time
the period of time during which x-rays are permitted to leave the tube.
Fixer
chemical solution that removes unexposed silver halide crystals from a film and causes the film to harden.
Focal Spot
the small area of the anode where accelerated electrons from the cathode collide.
Frequency
the number of cycles of an electromagnetic wave that pass a stationary point in a second.
Gray (Gy)-
unit of radiation exposure measurement One Gray equals 100 rads
Grid
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.
Ionization
a process in which an outer electron is removed from the atom so that the atom is positively charged.
Kilovoltage
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.
Kilovoltage Peak (kVp)
the maximum energy of the z-rays being produced, which determines their penetrating power.
Milliamperage (mA)
the amount of electrical current being applied to the filament, which is responsible for the number of x-rays produced during an exposure.
Milliamperage-Second (mA-s)
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.
Nonscreen film
film that is more sensitive to x-rays than fluorescent light
Primary x-ray beam
The path that x-rays follow as they leave the x-ray tube.
Rad (roentgen absorbed dose)
unit of measurement for the amount of ionizing radiation to which personnel are exposed.
Radiograph
a visible photographic record on film produced by x-rays passing through an object.
Radiolucent
property of being partly or wholly penetrable by x-rays.
Radiopaque
property of being impenetrable by x-rays.
Rem (roentgen equivalent man)
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.
Sante’s Rule
a method of estimating kilovoltage in relation to area thickness.
Screen Film
film that is more sensitive to fluorescent light than x-rays
Source-Image Distance (SID)
the distance between the source of x-rays (the tube) and the image receptor (film).
Sievert (Sv)
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.
Speed
indicates the amount of radiation (x-rays) required by a film or intensifying screen to produce an adequate radiograph.
