Bushong Image Acquisition Ch15

mAs

Milliamperes per second; controlling factor for x-ray intensity.

kVp

Kilovolt peak; controls x-ray beam energy.

Exposure time

The duration that the x-ray beam is activated.

Square Law

States that x-ray intensity varies inversely with the square of the distance from the source.

Sthenic

Body habitus that is muscular.

Hyposthenic

Body habitus that is thin.

Hypersthenic

Body habitus that is heavy.

Asthenic

Body habitus that is frail.

Filtration

Use of filters to shape the x-ray beam and reduce patient exposure.

Automatic exposure controls

Devices that automatically adjust exposure based on the patient's anatomical part.

Body composition factors

Fat, muscle, bone, and lung that affect radiographic technique.

Distortion in radiography

Misrepresentation of the size or shape of an anatomical structure.

Spatial resolution

The ability to differentiate between small structures in an image.

Contrast resolution

Measurement of the visibility of differences in x-ray attenuation.

Magnification factor

A calculation used in magnification radiography expressed as SID/SOD.

Patient positioning

The placement of a patient to ensure proper exposure.

Radiolucency

The property of a material that allows x-rays to pass through (dark appearance on film).

Radiopacity

The property of a material that resists x-rays and appears light on film.

Focal-spot size

The size of the area on the anode where x-ray production occurs.

High-voltage generation

The process of generating high voltage to produce more x-ray intensity and energy.

Three-phase power

An electrical power source that improves x-ray intensity and energy.

Inherent filtration

Natural filtration provided by the x-ray tube itself.

Added filtration

Filtration added to the x-ray beam to reduce exposure.

Compensating filters

Filters used to achieve uniform radiation exposure across a film.

Image receptor response

The reaction of the imaging system to incoming radiation.

Body habitus categories

Categories defining body types: sthenic, hyposthenic, hypersthenic, asthenic.

Sharpness in imaging

The clarity of the structural detail in an image.

Visibility in imaging

The ability to see different densities in an image.

Part thickness

The thickness of the anatomical structure being imaged.

Pathology

The study of diseases and their effects on anatomy.

Exposure factors

Factors that affect the quality and intensity of the x-ray beam.

Magnification radiography

Technique used to enhance visualization of small structures.

IR response

Image receptor response to x-ray exposure.

mAs and x-ray intensity relationship

Directly proportional; as mAs increases, x-ray intensity increases.

SID

Source-to-image distance; distance from the x-ray source to the image receptor.

SOD

Source-to-object distance; distance from the x-ray source to the object being imaged.

Density

The degree of darkening in a radiographic image.

Control factors for quality

mAs, kVp, focal-spot size, patient positioning.

Automatic exposure characteristics

Specific adjustments made for varying patient sizes and body parts.

Image quality factors

Factors that influence the visual outcome of the radiograph.

Patient factors

Individual characteristics that affect radiographic technique.

Characteristics of the imaging system

Features that influence the production and quality of x-ray images.

X-ray beam intensity

The amount of radiation produced by the x-ray tube.

Energy of the x-ray beam

The penetrating power of the x-ray radiation.

Short exposure times

Minimize patient motion blur in radiography.

Computed radiography

A method of digital imaging that uses phosphor plates.