Radiology Terminology for RADR 1309

Philosophy of using radiation to attain the desired diagnostic or therapeutic goal

ALARA

made of lead and placed on the outside of image receptors (Cassettes) to indicate side of interest and tech identifiers

Anatomy Markers

Anterior to posterior, where central ray enters the anterior side and exits the posterior side

AP PROJECTION

Structure not normally present, but produced by some external action, distortion of a substance or signal, which interferes with or obscures the interpretation of a study

ARTIFACTS

Process by which a beam of radiation decreases in intensity when passing through material due to absorption and scattering processes, leading to a decrease in flux density of the beam when projected through matter

ATTENUATION

Metal tray holding IR mounted under the table top or an upright unit

BUCKY

Imaging done in various stages of respiration for the anatomy of interest

BREATHING INSTRUCTIONS

Towards the tail end (central ray angled toward the feet)

CAUDAL

Aluminum, L shaped measuring device used to measure anatomy to be imaged

CALIPER

Imaginary line in the center of the x-ray beam, perpendicular to the object being imaged

CENTRAL RAY (CR)

Towards the head (central ray angled towards the head)

CEPHALAD

Method of restricting and confining the x-ray beam to a given area of interest

COLLIMATION

Degree to which light and dark areas of an image differ in brightness or in optical density (more black and white vs. Various shades of gray)

CONTRAST

Desk, or column with panels that display information and present controls used by an operator, technical factors are selected here

CONTROL CONSOLE

Radiopaque substances introduced into body system (bowel, joint) to allow radiological visualization

CONTRAST MEDIA

Lying on a lateral side with tube in horizontal position

DECUBITUS

The amount of darkening on the radiograph

DENSITY

When x-ray tube is aligned with the grid on the radiograph

DETENT

Part furthest away from the origin

DISTAL

Personal device for monitoring cumulative radiation dose

DOSIMETER

Exhailing

EXPIRATION

Act of taking a radiograph

EXPOSURE

Turning outward

EXTERNAL

Area where the x-ray beam is directed for imaging

FIELD OF VIEW

Selection on control panel that directs x-ray beam size

FOCAL SPOT

Device consisting essentially of a series of narrow lead strips closely spaced on their edges and separated by spacers of low-density material; used to reduce the amount of scattered radiation reaching the image receptor

GRID

Synonymous for x-ray

IMAGED

Device that changes the x-ray beam into a visible image.

IMAGE RECEPTOR (IR)

a phosphorescent screen (used in fluoroscopy or CT) or a specialized detector placed in a table or upright bucky (used in direct digital radiography)

Radiographic film and cassette

Holding ones breathe

INSPIRATION

Turning inward

INTERNAL

Kilovoltage, peak (max amount of energy)

kVp (kilovoltage peak)

From positioning standpoint, 90 degrees from AP or PA

LATERAL

Type of protective clothing that acts as a radiation shield. The purpose of the lead apron is to reduce exposure of a hospital patient and radiographer to x-rays and to vital organs that are potentially exposed to ionizing radiation during medical imaging that uses x-rays.

LEAD APRON/SHIELD

Symbols for IR/Cassette placement

LENGTHWISE (LW) - CROSSWISE (CW)

MilliAmperage or current is the product of current (mA) and exposure time (seconds) is the familiar mAs and translates to the number of x-rays produced. Aka: Quantity.

mAs

Center line drawn on tabletop or on upright Bucky

Midline

Rotated body position in which neither frontal nor lateral image is produced.

OBLIQUE

Object to IR distance

OID

Posterior-anterior, where central ray enters the posterior side and exits the anterior side

PA PROJECTION

Making a radiograph of a patient confined to a bed by taking a movable x-ray machine to the room

PORTABLE X-RAY MACHINE

Laying face downward

PRONE

Part of the structure closest to the origin

PROXIMAL

X-ray photons immediately exiting the tube

PRIMARY RADIATION

THE PATH THE CENTRAL RAY (CR) ENTERS THE OBJECT BEING EXPOSED TO RADIATION

RADIOGRAPHIC PROJECTION

Specific position of the body or a body part in relation to the image receptor during x-ray imaging (supine, erect, etc.)

RADIOGRAPHIC POSITION

• obstructing the passage of radiant energy, such as x-rays, the representative areas appearing light or white on the exposed film (Bone)

RADIOPAQUE

• permitting the passage of radiant energy, such as x-rays, with little attenuation, the representative areas appearing dark on the exposed (lungs)

RADIOLUCENT

An x-ray image

RADIOGRAPH

Lying on back

RECUMBANT

X-ray photons that reaches the image receptor once it has exited the patient

Remnant radiation

Non-diagnostic x-ray photons that travels in different direction after interacting with the patient's body

SCATTER RADIATION

Source to IR distance

SID

40 inches or 72 inches

Standard distances

Laying on one's back

supine

Bucky located under the table top

Table Bucky

TT defines a location where to place IR

TABLE TOP

factors used for the exposure; mA, time, kVP, distance, and focal spot size found on the control console

TECHNIQUE

contains exposure factors according to body part, part thickness, and technical factors

TECHNIQUE CHART

Bucky in an upright position, used mainly for Chest x-rays

UPRIGHT BUCKY OR CHEST BOARD

The electronic device that controls production of x-rays in radiography; a key function is rectification of line voltage to produce a smooth direct current voltage to the x-ray tube

X-RAY GENERATOR (TUBE)

Form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to light but of shorter wavelength and capable of penetrating solids and of ionizing various atoms, Particle of x-ray energy

X-RAY PHOTONS

Bone Density

BD stands for…

measurement using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) to detect osteoporosis

Bone Density

dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry

DEXA or DXA stands for…

condition in which the bones are weak thus brittle and break easily

osteoporosis

procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of disease of the cardiovascular system

cardiac interventional radiography

Cardiac interventional radiography

CI stands for…

recording of a predetermined plane in the body using an x-ray beam that's measured, recorded, and processed by a computer for display on a monitor

Computed Tomography

Computed Tomography

CT stands for…

visualization of deep structures of the body by recording the reflections of pulses of ultrasonic waves directed into the tissues

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

ultrasonographic imaging of the heart and associated vasculature

Echocardiology

capacity to operate or work

energy

process by which a neutral atom gains or loses an electron, thus acquiring a net charge

ionization

use of a magnetic field and radiofrequencies to create sectional images of the body

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI stands for…

radiography of the breast

Mammography

branch of radiology that involves the introduction of radioactive substances into the body for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes

nuclear medicine technology

creation of sectional images of the body that demonstrate the physiologic function of various organs and systems

Positron Emission Tomography

positron emission tomography

PET stands for…

energy transmitted by waves through space or medium

radiation

branch of radiology involved in the treatment of disease by means of x-rays or radioactive substances

radiation therapy

making of records (radiographs) of internal structures of the body by passing x-rays or gamma rays through the body to act on specially sensitized film or an imaging plate or system

radiography

general term applied to an individual who performs radiography, radiation therapy, or nuclear medicine technology

Radiologic Technologist

radiologic technologist

RT stands for…

physician who specializes in the use of x-rays and other forms of both ionizing and nonionizing radiation in the diagnosis and treatment of disease

radiologist

advanced-level radiographer who extends the capacity of the radiologist in the diagnostic imaging environment, thus enhancing patient care

Radiologist Assistant

branch of the health sciences dealing with radioactive substances and radiant energy and with the diagnosis and treatment of disease by means of both ionizing (roentgen rays) and nonionizing (ultrasound) radiation

Radiology

x-ray

Roentgen Ray is a synonym for…

procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of disease of the vascular system

vascular interventional radiography

electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength that is produced when electrons moving at high velocity are suddenly stopped

x-ray

Accreditation

Voluntary peer review process through which an agency grants recognition to an institution for a program of study that meets specified criteria ex: JRCERT