X-Ray Imaging Fundamentals and Equipment Vocabulary

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A comprehensive vocabulary set summarizing key terms related to x-ray production, image quality, digital imaging parameters, radiation physics, and tube components.

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48 Terms

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Photoelectric Interaction

An x-ray absorption event in which a photon transfers all its energy to an inner-shell electron, most likely in tissues with a high atomic number and when low-energy beams are used.

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Tissue Density

The compactness of atomic particles within tissue; higher density increases x-ray attenuation.

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Attenuation

The reduction in x-ray beam intensity as it passes through matter due to absorption and scattering.

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kVp (Kilovolt Peak)

The peak voltage applied to the x-ray tube; determines beam energy and influences beam penetration and image contrast.

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Radiographic Contrast

The visible difference between densities (shades of gray) on an x-ray image resulting from differential absorption.

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Subject Contrast

Contrast produced by differences in the patient’s anatomy and beam quality; higher at low kVp.

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Gray Scale

The range of densities displayed on a radiograph; a long gray scale indicates low contrast.

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Brightness (Digital Imaging)

The overall lightness or darkness of a displayed digital image, controlled electronically rather than by exposure.

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Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)

The ratio of useful image signal to background noise; higher SNR equals better image quality.

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Quantum Noise (Quantum Mottle)

Grainy image appearance caused by an insufficient number of x-ray photons (underexposure).

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Spatial Resolution

The ability to distinguish small, closely spaced structures; measured in line pairs per millimeter (lp/mm).

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Line Pairs per Millimeter (lp/mm)

A unit expressing spatial resolution; the number of distinct line pairs that can be imaged within 1 mm.

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Contrast Resolution

The ability of an imaging system to differentiate between small differences in x-ray intensity, critical for soft-tissue imaging.

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Shape Distortion

Misrepresentation of an object’s shape (elongation or foreshortening) caused by misalignment of tube, part, or receptor.

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Size Distortion (Magnification)

Enlargement of the recorded object when it is farther from the image receptor and closer to the x-ray source.

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Field of View (FOV)

The physical dimensions of anatomy included in a digital image; increasing FOV for a fixed matrix enlarges pixel size.

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Matrix Size

The number of pixels arranged in rows and columns in a digital image; a larger matrix with the same FOV yields smaller pixels.

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Pixel Size

The physical dimensions of a single picture element; smaller pixels improve spatial resolution.

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Pixel Density

The number of pixels per unit area; higher density implies smaller pixels and better detail.

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Pixel Pitch

The distance from the center of one pixel to the center of an adjacent pixel; decreased pitch enhances resolution.

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Spatial Frequency

The number of line pairs per millimeter in an image; higher frequency corresponds to better spatial resolution.

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Bit Depth

The number of bits used to represent each pixel’s gray level; greater bit depth increases contrast resolution.

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Wilhelm Roentgen

Discoverer of x-rays on November 8, 1895; first Nobel laureate in Physics (1901).

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Crookes Tube

An early vacuum tube used by Roentgen in the discovery of x-rays.

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Electromagnetic Radiation

Energy that travels in waves at the speed of light, including x-rays, with properties of both waves and particles.

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Wavelength (λ)

The distance between successive wave crests; for diagnostic x-rays typically 0.1–1 Å.

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Frequency (ν)

The number of wave cycles per second, measured in hertz (Hz); inversely proportional to wavelength.

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Photon

A discrete packet of electromagnetic energy; the particle aspect of x-rays.

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Equation c = λν

Formula relating speed of light (c), wavelength (λ), and frequency (ν) of electromagnetic radiation.

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Angstrom (Å)

A unit of length equal to 10⁻¹⁰ m, commonly used to express x-ray wavelengths.

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Fluorescence

Immediate emission of light from certain materials (e.g., barium platinocyanide) when exposed to x-rays.

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Ionization

The removal of an electron from an atom by x-ray photons, potentially causing biological damage.

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ALARA Principle

Radiation protection concept that exposures should be As Low As Reasonably Achievable through time, distance, and shielding.

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Cathode

The negative electrode of the x-ray tube containing the filament(s) that emit electrons.

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Filament

Tungsten wire within the cathode heated to release electrons via thermionic emission.

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Thermionic Emission

The release of electrons from a heated filament in the x-ray tube.

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Space Charge Effect

Limiting of additional electron emission due to the buildup of a negative cloud around the filament.

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Focusing Cup

Negatively charged nickel enclosure surrounding the filament that directs electrons toward the anode.

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Tube Current (mA)

The flow rate of electrons from cathode to anode; higher mA increases x-ray quantity but not energy.

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Filament Current

The current that heats the filament to achieve thermionic emission.

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Anode

The positive electrode where electrons strike to produce x-rays; contains the target focal track.

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Target (Focal Track)

Tungsten area of the anode bombarded by electrons to generate x-ray photons.

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Rotating Anode

An anode design that spins (≈3,000–10,000 RPM) to spread heat over a larger surface, increasing tube heat capacity.

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Rotor

The internal component that turns the rotating anode via electromagnetic induction.

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Stator

The external electric motor that induces rotation of the rotor inside the x-ray tube glass envelope.

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Tungsten

High-atomic-number, high-melting-point metal used in filaments and anode targets for efficient x-ray production.

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Molybdenum

Lightweight metal backing the tungsten target to reduce anode mass and improve heat dissipation.

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Graphite Layer (Anode)

Layer behind molybdenum that further decreases anode weight and enhances thermal conductivity.