X-Ray Tube Components and Principles

Vocabulary practice covering x-ray tube anatomy, anode types, the induction motor, and physical principles like the anode heel effect and line focus principle.

Anode

The positive side of the x-ray tube.

Cathode

The negative side of the x-ray tube, containing the filament and focusing cup.

Glass envelope

Component used for containment and maintaining the vacuum within the x-ray tube.

Tube housing

The part of the x-ray tube assembly that prevents leakage and provides insulation.

Rotating and Stationary

The two types of anodes used in x-ray tubes.

Tungsten

The material the anode is made of because it has a high atomic number and a high melting point.

Induction motor

A motor consisting of a stator on the outside and a rotor on the inside of the tube.

Stator

An electric motor that creates a rotating magnetic field when energized to turn the rotor at high speed.

Rotor

The component that spins the anode, allowing heat to be spread out across a larger area.

Bearings

Parts of the induction motor that support and enable rotation.

Anode heel effect

The variation in x-ray intensity between the anode and cathode sides of the tube.

Cathode side intensity

The end of the x-ray tube where the beam is more intense because x-rays on the opposite side are absorbed by the anode material.

Line focus principle

A design using a large actual focal spot to spread heat while maintaining a small effective focal spot for better image detail.

Actual focal spot

The area located on the surface of the anode target which is larger than the effective focal spot.

Effective focal spot

The focal spot that is directed towards the patient.