Dental Radiography Basics: Fundamental Units & Tubehead Components

Vocabulary flashcards covering the basic structure of matter and key components in a dental X-ray tubehead.

Atom

The fundamental unit of matter composed of a central nucleus (protons and neutrons) surrounded by electrons.

Proton

A positively charged subatomic particle located in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

An electrically neutral subatomic particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

A negatively charged subatomic particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

Filter (Dental X-ray Tubehead)

An aluminum disk positioned in the path of the X-ray beam that removes low-energy, long-wavelength X-rays, thereby increasing the mean beam energy and reducing patient exposure.

Collimator (for contrast)

A lead diaphragm in the X-ray tubehead that limits the size and shape of the beam; its purpose differs from the filter, which eliminates low-energy photons.