Vocabulary Flashcards
to move an extremity outward, away from the torso
abduct
round bony structure located posteriorly on the medial aspect of the femur, just superior to the medial condyle
abductor tubercle
imaginary line connecting the point where the upper lip and nose meet with the external ear opening
acanthiomeatal line
condition that results in change to the normal body structures, soft tissues, or air or fluid content of the patient; may require technical changes to compensate for them prior to exposing the patient. Cause the tissues to increase in atomic density or thickness, making them more radiopaque
additive condition
to move an extremity toward the torso
adduct
acronym for keeping radiation exposure “as low as reasonably achieveable”
ALARA
set of rules or directions used by the computer for getting a specific outcome from a specific input
algorithm
adding markers to the radiograph after the exposure has been made from the computer display monitor
annotation
absorption of radiation in the heel of the anode, resulting in less x-ray intensity at the anode side of a long IR as compared with the cathode side
anode heel effect
refers to the front surface of the patient; used to express something situated at or directed toward the front; includes the palms and tops of the feet as in anatomic position
anterior (antero-)
condition in which the humeral head is demonstrated anteriorly beneath the coracoid
anterior shoulder dislocation
undesirable structure or substance recorded on the image. It may or may not be covering the VOI
artifact
the concentration of atoms within a given tissue space
atomic density
a surgical procedure where breast implants are added for reconstructive purpose or cosmetic reasons to enhance the size and shape of the breasts
augmentation mammoplasty
system used in radiography that automatically stops the exposure time when adequate IR exposure has been reached
automatic exposure control (AEC)
used to detect heart arrhythmias and then deliver an electrical shock to the heart to convert it to a normal rhythm
automatic implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (ICD)
final phase of image processing in digital radiography during which the computer compares the image histogram with the selected lookup table (LUT) and applies algorithms to the raw data to align the image histogram with the LUT
automatic rescaling
armpit
axilla
maximum time that the x-ray AEC will be allowed to continue before shutting off automatically
backup timer
area of the ground surface on which the feet are resting. The center is between the feet
base of support (BOS)
both sides
bilateral
determines the maximum range of pixel values the computer can store. The values signify the gray scale that is available to create the digital image
bit depth
body physique or type. the designations hypersthenic, sthenic, asthenic, and hyposthenic habitus are used in radiography to determine the size of image receptor to use and the locations of the thoracic and peritoneal structures
body habitus
supporting material in cancellous bone. Are demonstrated on images as thin white lines throughout a bony structure and are evaluated for changes
bony trabeculae
technique in which a long exposure time (3 to 4 seconds) is used with costal breathing to blur the lung details surrounding the bony structures of interest
breathing technique
the degree of luminance seen on the display monitor; refers to the degree of lightness (white) or lack of brightness (black) of the pixels in the image
brightness
wrist passageway formed anteriorly by the flexor retinaculum, posteriorly by the capitate, laterally by the scaphoid and trapezium, and medially by the pisiform and hamate
carpal canal
foot end of the patient. Central ray is directed toward the patient’s feet
caudal
a point in the center of the pelvis that is a little above the hip joints and anterior to the second sacral vertebra; it is where the weight is equally distributed on all sides
center of gravity (COG)
center of the x-ray beam. It is used to center the anatomic structure and IR
central ray (CR)
catheter used to allow infusion of substances that are too toxic for peripheral infusion, as for chemotherapy, total parenteral nutrition, dialysis, or blood transfusion
central venous catheter (CVC)
head end of the patient. CR is directed toward the patient’s head
cephalic
curved or rounded inward
concave
differences in brightness level in tissues that have the different degrees of absorption
contrast
a postprocessing manipulation that adds a black background over the areas outside the VOI to eliminate them and provide a perceived enhancement of image contrast
contrast mask
the ability of an imaging system to distinguish between details by displaying them with different gray shades
contrast resolution
curved or rounded outward
convex
outer layer of a bone demonstrated on an image as the white outline of an anatomic structure
cortical outline
slow, shallow breathing; used with a long exposure time to blur chest details
costal breathing
refers to the patient lying on a table or cart while a horizontally directed CR is used; the term is also used to refer to the surface (lateral, dorsal, or ventral) placed adjacent to the table or cart
decubitus
degree of darkness in an image
density
to lower or sink down, positioning at a lower level
depress
condition that results in change to the normal bony structures, soft tissues, or air or fluid content of the patient; technical changes may be required to compensate for them prior to exposing the patient. Cause the tissues to lose density or thickness, so that they become more radiolucent
destructive condition
element in the DR image receptor containing the electronic components that store the detected energy
detector element (DEL)
to move away from the normal or routine
deviate
radiographic contrast caused by differences in the atomic density, atomic number, and thickness composition of the patient’s body parts and how each type of tissue absorbs x-ray photons
differential absorption
refers to a structure that is situated away from the source or beginning
distal (disto-)
misrepresentation of the size or shape of the structure being examined
distortion
posterior
dorsal (dorso-)
backward bending, as of the hand or foot; brings the toes and forefront upward
dorsiflexion
x-ray beam that enters the top of the patient’s foot and exits through the bottom of the foot
dorsoplantar projection
when technique values (mAs, kV) are elevated more than necessary owing to fear of producing images with quantum noise
dose creep
maximum permissible radiation dose limits; used for radiation protection purposes
dose equivalent limits
range of gray shades that the imaging system can display; measured by the bit depth of each pixel
dynamic range
external ear opening
external auditory meatus (EAM)
to lift up or raise; position at a higher level
elevate
to make one axis of an anatomic structure appear disproportionately longer on the image than the opposite axis
elongation
stiff, thick-walled tube used to inflate the lungs
endotracheal tube (ETT)
absorbed dose to the most superficial layers of skin
entrance skin exposure (ESE)
act of turning the plantar foot surface as far laterally as the ankle will allow
eversion
computed radiography process in which the computer distinguishes the raw data representative of information within the exposure field from that which comes from outside the exposure field so that proper automatic rescaling can occur
exposure field recognition
readings obtained in digital radiography that express the amount of IR exposure given off by the IP; indicates the amount of radiation exposure to the patient and IP
exposure indicator (EI)
formula used to adjust the mAs the needed amount to maintain the required IR exposure and prevent quantum noise: (new mAs)/(old mAs) = (new distance squared)/(old distances squared)
exposure maintenance formula
movement that results in the straightening of a joint
extension
act of turning the anterior surface of an extremity outward or away from the midline of a patient’s torso
external (lateral) rotation
accumulation of adipose or fatty tissue that, by its displacement, can indicate joint effusion on radiographic images
fat pads
area of the image receptor from which the image data are collected. For computed radiography, the area is the entire imaging plate; for direct or indirect capture radiography, it is the detectors that are included in the exposure field as determined by collimation
field of view (FOV)
movement that bends a joint
flexion
to make one axis of an anatomic structure appear disproportionately shorter on the image than the opposite axis.
foreshorten
position where the affected leg is flexed and abducted to demonstrate a lateral projection of the hip and proximal femur
frog-leg position
imaginary line connecting the glabella and alveolar ridge
glabelloaveolar line
the fat plane superior to the femoral neck
gluteal fat plane
number of gray shades used between white and black to display the radiographic image
gray scale
a long gray scale indicates few or many shades of gray
many
a short gray scale indicates few or many shades of gray
few
device consisting of lead strips placed between the patient and IR to reduce the amount of scatter radiation reaching the receptor
grid
reduction in the amount of primary radiation reaching the IR because of grid misalignment
grid cutoff
defect in the notch of the posterolateral humeral head created by impingement of the articular surface of the humeral head against the anteroinferior rim of the glenoid cavity
Hill-Sachs defect
graph generated from the raw data that has the pixel brightness value on the x-axis and the number of pixels with that brightness value on the y-axis
histogram
image histogram that includes raw data values in the VOI that should not be included; this results in a misshapen histogram that will not match the lookup table closely enough for the computer to rescale the data accurately
histogram analysis error
refers to uniformity among structures
homogeneous
fat plane that lies within the pelvis medial to the lesser trochanters
iliopsoas fat plane
process of collecting x-ray transmission measurements from the patient
image acquisition
device that receives the radiation leaving the patient. Computed radiography uses an imaging plate and the DR system uses detector elements
image receptor (IR)
- plate used in computed radiography coated with a photostimulable phosphor material that absorbs the photons exiting the patient, resulting in the formation of a latent image that is released and digitized before being sent to a computer. 2. a thin flexible sheet of plastic with a photostimulable phosphor layer that is placed inside the computed radiography cassette to record the radiographic image; computed radiography’s image receptor
imaging plate (IP)
refers to a structure within the patient’s torso that is situated closer to the feet; used in comparing the locations of two structures
inferior (infero-)
below the orbits
infraorbital
imaginary line connecting the inferior orbital margin and EAM
infraorbitomeatal line (IOML)
imaginary line connecting the iliac crests
interiliac line
imaginary line drawn between the medial and lateral malleoli
intermalleolar line
act of turning the anterior surface of an extremity inward or toward the midline of the patient’s torso
internal (medial) rotation
imaginary line connecting the outer corners of the eyelids
interpupillary line
presence of free air in the abdominal cavity
intraperitoneal air
law that states that radiation intensity is inversely proportional to the square of its distance from the x-ray source
inverse square law
act of turning the plantar foot surface as far medially as the ankle will allow
inversion
movement that the patient cannot control
involuntary motion
chamber in the AEC system that collects radiation
ionization chamber
escape of fluid into the joint
joint effusion
excessive posterior convexity of the thoracic vertebrae
kyphosis
refers to the patient’s sides; used to express something that is directed or situated away from the patient’s median plane or to express the outer side of an extremity
lateral (latero-)
talofibular joint
lateral mortise
refers to positioning of the patient so that the side of the torso or extremity being imaged is placed adjacent to the IR
lateral position
used to minimize shape distortion in imaging long bones when the bone and IR cannot be positioned parallel. Indicates that the CR should be set at half the angle formed between the bone and IR
law of isometry
an imaginary plane that runs the length of the body, through the center of gravity, and down to the ground, dividing the body into two equal halves
line of gravity (LOG)
imaginary line connecting the lips (with mouth closed) with the EAM
lips-meatal line
is present when the long axis of a structure appears disproportionately shorter on the image than the short axis
longitudinal foreshortening
histogram of the brightness and contrast values of the ideal image. It is used as a reference to evaluate the raw data of similar images and automatically rescales their values when needed to match those in the LUT
lookup table (LUT)
proportionately increasing or enlarging both axes of a structure
magnification
imaginary line connecting the nipples
mammary line
when the technical factors (mAs, kV) are set based on the patient’s thickness measurement
manual exposure
columns and rows of pixels (array) that divide a digital pixel
matrix
refers to the patient’s median plane; used to express something that is directed or situated toward the patient’s median plane or to express the inner side of an extremity
medial (medio-)
imaginary line connecting the chin with the EAM
mentomeatal line
imaginary plane that passes through the body from side to side and divides it into equal anterior and posterior sections or halves
midcoronal plane
imaginary plane that passes through the body anteroposteriorly or posteroanteriorly and divides it into equal right and left sections or halves
midsagittal or median plane
the shortest exposure time to which the AEC can respond and still produce an acceptable image
minimal response time
wavy-line artifact that occurs when a stationary grid is used in computed radiography and the imaging plate is placed in the plater reader so that the grids lead strips align parallel with the scanning direction
Moire grid artifact
the lack of detail and sharpness on a projection caused by the patient’s movement during the exposure
motion unsharpness
any nonuseful input to the projection that will interfere with the visibility of the VOI. Artifacts, scatter radiation, quantum mottle, and electronic noise are examples
noise
biologic response of radiation exposure that can be directly related to the dose received
nonstochastic effect
distance from the object being imaged to the IR
object-image receptor distance (OID)
refers to rotation of a structure away from an AP or PA projection
oblique
fat plane lying within the pelvic inlet next the medial brim
obturator internus fat plane
chewing surface of the maxillary teeth
occlusal plane
imaginary line connecting the canthus of the outer eye and the EAM
orbitomeatal line
a device used to regulate the heart rate by supplying electrical stimulation to it. This electrical signal will stimulate the heart to the degree needed to maintain an effective rate and rhythm
pacemaker
referring to the anterior surface of the hand
palmar
a fat plane around a joint
pericapsular fat plane
artifact that occurs in computed radiography when the imaging plate is not erased adequately before the next image is exposed and two images are recorded onto the plate phosphor
phantom image
the number of photons striking a specific area per unit of time
photon flux
a system whereby the digitized images from all the different modalities in a facility are stored and can be retrieved, displayed, and transmitted to computers on the local area network (LAN)
picture archival and communication system (PACS)
single cell within a matrix
pixel
pertaining to the sole of the foot
plantar
the act of moving the toes and forefoot downward
plantarflexion
thick-walled tube used to remove fluid or air from the pleural space, which could result in collapse of the lung
pleural drainage tube
fluid in the pleural cavity
pleural effusion
removal of a lung
pneumectomy
presence of air in the pleural cavity
pneumothorax
adjustments made to the image at the console by technologist, including windowing for brightness and contrast, edge enhancement, adding annotations, image reorientation (turning or flipping), and zooming
postprocessing
refers to the back of the patient; used to express something that is situated at or directed toward the back and includes the backs of the hands and bottoms of the feet, as in anatomic position
posterior (postero-)
shoulder condition in which the humeral head is demonstrated posteriorly, beneath the acromion process
posterior shoulder dislocation
fat stripe located anterior to the cervical vertebrae
prevertebral fat stripe
computer software indicating the dynamic range and average brightness levels for the computer to use in displaying a projection. These are embedded in the LUTs used when the histogram is automatically rescaled to optimize the anatomic structures for that projection
procedural algorithm
outline of an anatomic structure
profile
the act of throwing the image of an anatomic structure forward
projection
to rotate or turn the upper extremity medially until the hand’s palmar surface is facing downward or posteriorly
pronate
soft tissue structure demonstrated on lateral wrist images located parallel to the anterior surface of the distal radius
pronator fat stripe
to move a structure forward or anteriorly
protract
refers to a structure that is closest to the source or beginning
proximal (proximo-)
catheter used to measure atrial pressures, pulmonary artery pressure, and cardiac output
pulmonary arterial catheter
graininess or random pattern that is superimposed on the image, obscuring information. It is present when photon flux is insufficient
quantum noise (mottle)
while maintaining a PA projection, the distal hand is moved toward the radial side as much as the wrist will allow
radial deviation
allowing the passage of x-radiation. Appears dark on an image
radiolucent
preventing the passage of x-radiation. Appears white on an image
radiopaque
brightness values that have come from the digital IR before rescaling occurs
raw data
sharpness of structures that have been included on the image
recorded detail
lying down
recumbent
differentiation of individual structures or details from one another on an image
resolution
to move a structure backward or posteriorly
retract
demonstrated on an image as a loss of contrast resolution, with some or all of the structures demonstrating a black shade
saturation
soft tissue structure demonstrated on wrist images located just lateral to the scaphoid
scaphoid fat stripe
radiation that has changed in direction from the primary beam because of an interaction with the patient or another structure. Because it is emitted in a random direction, it carries no useful signal or subject contrast
scatter radiation
spine condition that results in the vertebral columns curving laterally instead of straight
scoliosis
distance from the anode’s focal spot on the IR
source-image receptor distance (SID)
distance from the anode’s focal spot to the patient
source-object distance (SOD)
distance from the source of radiation (anode) to the patient’s skin. Good radiation practice dictates that this distance must be at least 12 inches (30 cm) to prevent unacceptable entrance skin exposure
source-skin distance (SSD)
unable to define spatial resolution; refers to how often the number of details change in a set amount of space. It is expressed as line pairs per mm (lpm/mm)
spatial frequency
ability of an imaging system to distinguish small adjacent details from each other in the image
spatial resolution
biological response to radiation in which the chance of occurrence of the effect, is proportional to the dose of radiation received
stochastic effect
contrast caused by the x-ray attenuating characteristics (atomic density and number, and thickness) of the subject being imaged
subject contrast
partial dislocation
subluxation
to lie over or above an anatomic structure or object
superimpose
refers to a structure within the patient’s torso that is situated closer to the head; used in comparing the locations of two torso structures
superior (supero-)
rotating or turning the upper extremity laterally until the hand’s palmar surface is facing upwardly or anteriorly
supination
above the orbit
supraorbital
opening formed between the lateral clavicle, acromion process, and superior scapula when the patient is positioned for a tangential outlet projection of the shoulder
supraspinatus outlet
refers to structures on opposite sides demonstrating the same size, shape, and position
symmetric
dome shape formed by the most medial and lateral aspects of the talus’s trochlear surface when it is in a lateral position
talar dome
opening between the calcaneus and talus
tarsi sinus
component in direct/indirect capture radiography that collects the electric chargers produced in the detector elements when the remnant radiation strikes it
thin-film transistor (TFT)
supporting material within cancellous bone. It is demonstrated on an image as thin white lines throughout a bony structure
trabecular pattern
exists when the short axis of a structure appears disproportionately shorter on the image than the long axis
transverse foreshortening
while maintaining a PA projection, the distal hand is turned toward the ulnar side as much as the wrist will allow
ulnar deviation
employed only in neonates because the cord has dried up and fallen off in older infants. It is used to measure oxygen saturation
umbilical artery catheter (UAC)
catheter used to deliver fluids and medications
umbilical vein catheter (UVC)
one sided
unilateral
knee deformity in which the lateral side of the knee joint is narrower than the medial side
valgus deformity
brightness values (raw data) that represent only the anatomic structures of interest and distal radiography
values of interest (VOI)
knee deformity in which the medial side of the knee joint is narrower than the lateral side
vargus deformity
white markings in the lung fields that indicate blood vessels on a chest x-ray
vascular lung markings
anterior
ventral (ventro-)
motion that the patient is able to control
voluntary motion
describing a structure that is bearing weight, as with a standing lateral foot or AP knee projection
weight-bearing
postprocessing manipulation of an image’s brightness and contrast to better demonstrate the VOI
windowing
