Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles Practice Flashcards

These practice flashcards cover terminology, positioning, and imaging principles based on the Chapter 1 Workbook Self-Test answer key, including anatomy, digital imaging characteristics, and radiation protection.

Integumentary System

The body system encompassing the skin and its associated structures.

Osseous System

The skeletal system of the body composed of bones.

$$206$$

The number of separate bones in the adult human body skeletal system.

Circulatory System

One of the vital systems of the human body.

Urinary System

A human body system involved in waste elimination.

Axial and appendicular

The two main divisions of the human skeletal system.

Spongy or cancellous

A type of bone tissue found within the skeletal system.

Hyaline or articular cartilage

A type of cartilage that covers the ends of bones within joints.

Diploe

The specific term for the spongy bone found in the skull.

Diaphysis (body)

The primary center of ossification in a growing bone.

Epiphyses

The secondary centers of ossification in a bone.

Metaphysis

The growth zone between the epiphysis and the diaphysis.

Fibrous

A primary classification of joints based on their structural material.

Cartilaginous

A primary classification of joints held together by cartilage.

Distal tibiofibular joint

A specific example of a fibrous joint.

Midcoronal plane

A plane passing through the body that divides it into equal anterior and posterior halves.

Sagittal plane

Any plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

Announce your name

The first step in professional communication with a patient.

Communicate your credentials

The second step in professional communication according to positioning principles.

Explain the procedure

The third step in professional communication before starting a radiographic exam.

Projection

A term describing the direction or path of the central x-ray beam.

LAO

Left Anterior Oblique position.

Ventral decubitus

A radiographic position where the patient lies on their abdomen and the beam is horizontal.

Anteroposterior (AP)

A projection where the x-ray beam enters the front and exits the back of the body.

RPO

Right Posterior Oblique position.

AP oblique with lateral rotation

A specific projection requiring the part to be angled with the rotation directed outward.

Dorsoplantar

A term for an AP projection of the foot.

Fowler position

A body position where the head is higher than the feet.

PA oblique with medial rotation

A projection where the beam enters the back and the part is rotated toward the midline.

Tangential projection

A projection that merely skims the surface of a body part to profile it.

Transthoracic projection

A projection where the central ray passes through the chest from one side to the other.

Parietoacanthial projection

A specific skull projection often used for the facial bones or sinuses.

AP chest with $20$-degree cephalic angle

A specialized chest projection using an upward tube tilt.

Radiographic view

A term describing the anatomy as seen by the image receptor; not a recommended term for positioning.

Pelvis (Minimum Projections)

An exam that usually requires a minimum of $2$ projections.

Hand (Minimum Projections)

An exam that usually requires a minimum of $3$ projections.

Two Projections

The minimum number of projections required for studies of long bones.

Three Projections

The minimum number of projections required for studies of joints.

PA, oblique, and lateral projections

The standard routine projections used for most extremity examinations.

PA and lateral projections

The standard routine projections used for most chest examinations.

Palpation

The process of applying light pressure with the fingertips to locate bony landmarks.

Lower Leg/Long Bone routine

Requires a minimum of $2$ projections.

Receptor exposure

The overall amount of radiation that reaches the image receptor.

mA

Milliamperage; the factor that primarily controls the quantity of x-rays produced.

kVp

Kilovolt peak; the factor that primarily controls the energy and penetrability of the x-ray beam.

$15\%$ rule

Increasing kVp by $15\%$ is similar to doubling the mAs in terms of receptor exposure.

$$0.25\,mGy$$

An example of a radiation intensity value calculated using the inverse square law.

Virtual grid software

Digital processing that allows imaging without a physical grid, recommended for parts less than $4\,\text{inches (10 cm)}$.

Collimation

The restriction of the x-ray beam to the area of interest to reduce scatter and patient dose.

Exposure to the image receptor

A key factor in digital imaging quality, often monitored via an indicator.

Shortening the exposure time

The best method for reducing motion on a radiograph.

$0.3\,\text{mm}$ focal spot

A small focal spot size used to enhance recorded detail.

$40$-inch ($100$-cm) SID

A standard Source-to-Image Distance used for many radiographic procedures.

Distortion

The misrepresentation of the size or shape of the object being imaged.

$72$-inch ($180$-cm) SID and $3$-inch ($7.5$-cm) OID

A combination of factors used to minimize magnification of a part.

Parallel

The necessary orientation of the central ray to the lead strips of a non-angled grid.

mAs

The product of milliamperage and exposure time, which is the primary controller of receptor exposure.

AP abdomen

A radiographic procedure mentioned as having high receptor exposure requirements.

Increase SID

A primary method used to reduce the magnification of an image.

Pixels

The individual picture elements that make up a digital image matrix.

Algorithms

Mathematical formulas used by computers to transform digital data into an image.

Brightness

The digital term for the intensity of light representing the anatomy on a monitor.

Processing algorithms

The primary factor that controls the brightness and contrast of a digital image.

Contrast resolution

The ability of a digital system to distinguish between very similar subject contrasts.

Display pixel size

A physical factor that limits the spatial resolution of a digital image display.

DQE

Detective Quantum Efficiency; a measure of how efficiently a system converts input x-ray signals into an image.

Noise

Random background information on a digital image that does not contribute to image quality.

Scatter radiation

Secondary radiation that reduces image contrast and increases noise.

EI number

Exposure Index; a numeric value that indicates whether an image receptor was properly exposed.

PSP

Photostimulable phosphor; the material used in computed radiography (CR) plates to store energy.

Wide exposure latitude

A characteristic of PSP systems that allows them to produce images across a large range of exposures.

Bright light

Used to erase the residual image from a PSP plate after it has been read.

Bar code reader

A device used to link patient data with a specific computed radiography imaging plate.

Laser

The tool used to scan and release the stored energy from a PSP plate in a reader.

Radiology Information System (RIS)

A database system used to manage patient records and imaging orders.

PACS

Picture Archiving and Communication System; used for the storage and distribution of digital images.

Window level

A digital post-processing control used specifically to adjust image brightness.

DICOM

A set of standards that ensures different digital imaging systems can communicate with each other.

Teleradiology

The practice of transmitting digital images to a distant location for interpretation.

Display matrix

The grid of rows and columns of pixels that forms the digital image on a monitor.

$11 \times 14\text{-inch}$ IR

A standard size for a digital image receptor.

Smoothing

A post-processing technique used to reduce the appearance of digital noise.

Equalization

A digital post-processing technique that evens out the brightness across the image.

Gray (Gy)

The SI unit used to measure the amount of radiation energy absorbed by a material.

Air kerma

The SI unit of radiation exposure or intensity in air.

$50\,mSv$ (or $5\,rem$)

The annual occupational effective dose limit for radiation workers.

$$250\,mSv$$

The cumulative lifetime effective dose limit for a $25$-year-old radiation worker.

$1\,mSv$ (or $0.1\,rem$)

The annual dose limit for frequent exposure to the general public.

$$10\,R/min$$

The maximum allowable tabletop dose rate for general fluoroscopic equipment.

$$1-3\,R/min$$

The typical dose rate at the tabletop during most common fluoroscopy procedures.

Filtration

The use of materials to absorb lower-energy, unusable x-rays before they reach the patient.

AP thoracic spine ($14 \times 17\text{-inch}$)

An exam with a large field size that presents a high risk for gonadal exposure if not shielded.

$$50\%-90\%$$

The range of dose reduction possible when using properly placed gonadal shielding.

DAP (dose area product)

A measure of the total radiation dose to the patient, reflecting both dose and the area of the beam.

$$2\%$$

The required accuracy for positive beam limitation (PBL) relative to the SID.

Behind the radiologist

The safest location for a technologist to stand during a fluoroscopic procedure.

Bucky slot shield

A protective device that slides into place to cover the opening under the table during fluoroscopy.

$0.5\,mSv$ (or $0.05\,rem$)

The monthly dose limit for an embryo-fetus once pregnancy is declared.

ALARA

Principles of radiation protection standing for 'As Low As Reasonably Achievable'.

OID

Object-to-Image Distance; a factor that directly affects the magnification of the image.