ASRT Article - Radiation Physics, Biology, and Protection (Basic Imaging System, X-ray Tubes, X-ray Production pp. 474-477) Winter 2025

By rotating the anode, the target area for the electron stream is ______________ across a greater area of the anode face, increasing longevity for the whole tube.

distributed

The number of electrons that actually are produced and emitted by the filament corresponds to the _____________ of the filament.

temperature

The kilovoltage selected at the x-ray system control console influences the radiation [_____], which is responsible for the [_____] of the beam

quality

penetrability

Opposing the cathode is the ____________ side of the x-ray tube, or the anode

positive

A vacuum tube is [_____] required to produce x-rays, but electrons travel more efficiently in a vacuum; therefore, vacuum tubes allow [_____] electrons to make it from the cathode to the anode

not

more

When an exposure is made, [_____] voltage is applied to the cathode and anode, causing and [_____] between the anode and the electron cloud being held in the focusing cup

high

attraction

The amperage selected at the x-ray system control console influences the radiation [_____], which is responsible for the [_____] of x-rays produced in the beam

quantity

number

Examination tables include an image receptor, or a tray for an image receptor, and are constructed to a uniform thickness to decrease the possibility of variable _____________ of the x-ray beam

attenuation

X-ray tubes need only three components to function: evacuated glass envelope (vacuum tube), a source of [_____] (cathode), and a [_____] material (anode)

electrons

target

The first step in producing x-ray photons is for the technologist to partially _______ the exposure button and prespin the anode

depress

Leakage radiation is any radiation not directed toward the patient and emitted through the tube window

true

The higher the amperage used, the [_____] the filament wire, and the more electrons will be released through the process called [_____] emission

hotter

thermionic

With an x-ray tube, high energy, fast-moving [_____] are released from a cathode and accelerated across a vacuum tube. They collie with an anode and release their kinetic energy, which is transformed into [_____] energy in the form of x-ray

electrons

electromagnetic

With an x-ray system, the control console regulates the [_____] and [_____] of the x-ray tube to govern the production of photons

voltage

amperage

The x-ray tubes that accompany most diagnostic imaging systems act in concert with the control console and the high-voltage ____________

generator

The x-ray tube housing is heavy because of its construction and primary function as a shield to stop ____________ radiation

leakage

A critical component of the imaging system is the exposure [_____]. Simply put, the timers govern the [_____] of time that the x-ray tube is energized

timer

length

For an x-ray tube to function, it must be provided __________ current

direct

In the x-ray tube itself, the cathode is the __________ side of the functional components

negative

The high-voltage generator of diagnostic x-ray imaging systems is responsible for [_____] the voltage to a point where sufficient [_____] energy is produce to generate x-ray photons at the anode

increasing

kinetic

When projectile electrons strike the anode, they transfer their kinetic energy to the atoms in the target and produce [_____] (99%) or [_____] photons (1%)

heat

x-ray

Milliamperage (mA) is governed at the control console and regulates the _____ of electrons from cathode to anode

flow