Introduction to Imaging and Radiologic Sciences - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on imaging and radiologic sciences, including radiography, ionization, X-rays, radiologic technology, ionizing vs non-ionizing radiation, and the discovery of X-rays by Roentgen with Crookes tube.

Radiography

The making of radiographs (images) of internal structures by passing X-rays through the body.

Ionization

The process by which energy removes electrons from atoms.

X-ray

A form of high-energy electromagnetic radiation capable of ionizing atoms and producing internal images.

Radiologic Technology

The health-science field focused on using radiant energy (ionizing and nonionizing) to diagnose or treat disease.

Ionizing Radiation

Radiation that can remove electrons from atoms; X-rays and CT are common examples.

Non-Ionizing Radiation

Radiation that does not ionize atoms; examples include MRI (radio waves) and ultrasound (sound waves).

Ionizing-radiation modalities

Imaging or therapy modalities that use ionizing radiation (e.g., X-ray imaging, CT, Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Therapy).

Non-ionizing modalities

Modalities that use non-ionizing forms of energy (e.g., MRI and Ultrasound).

X-ray production

The creation of X-rays by sudden deceleration of electrons in an X-ray tube, involving components such as the rotor, stator, anode, cathode, and filament.

Crookes tube

A vacuum tube with a cathode and anode used in early X-ray experiments; discovered by William Crookes.

Wilhelm Roentgen

The German physicist who discovered X-rays in 1895 after observing glow from photographic plates when a Crookes tube operated.

First X-ray date

November 8, 1895—the date of the first X-ray.

First X-ray subject

Bertha (Roentgen's wife), whose hand with a wedding ring was imaged.

First X-ray body part imaged

Hand (image of a hand with a wedding ring) as the first X-ray subject.