Introduction to the Imaging Sciences

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the history of X-ray discovery, physics units, equipment, and radiation protection principles.

Dr. Roentgen

The physicist who discovered X-rays on November 8, 1895, and produced the first radiograph on December 22, 1895.

Barium platinocyanide

The phosphorescent material painted on cardboard that fluoresced during Dr. Roentgen's experiments with a cathode ray tube.

Clarence Dally

Thomas Edison's assistant who developed severe radiation burns and eventually died, highlighting the dangers of x-rays.

Radiodermatitis

Acute radiation burns resulting from early exposure to x-rays, nearly eliminated by 1900 through improved equipment and techniques.

Fundamental Quantities

The basic building blocks of measurement: mass, length, and time.

Derived Quantities

Quantities created from combinations of fundamental quantities, including velocity, acceleration, force, momentum, work, and power.

Velocity

A derived quantity calculated as $v = \frac{d}{t}$ and measured in $\text{m/s}$.

Acceleration

A derived quantity calculated as $a = \frac{v_f - v_o}{t}$ and measured in $\text{m/s}^2$.

Force ($F$)

A derived quantity calculated as $F = ma$, measured in Newtons ($N$).

Momentum ($p$)

A derived quantity calculated as $p = mv$, measured in $\text{kg} \times \text{m/s}$.

Work

A derived quantity calculated as $\text{work} = Fd$, measured in Joules ($J$).

Power ($P$)

A derived quantity calculated as $P = \frac{\text{work}}{t}$, measured in Watts ($W$).

Inertia

The property of an object with mass that resists a change in its state of motion.

Energy

The ability to do work, existing in two states: potential (stored) and kinetic (expended).

Coulomb/kilogram ($C/kg$)

The SI unit measuring the number of electrons liberated by ionization per kilogram of air; one coulomb equals $6.24 \times 10^{18}$ electrons.

Roentgen ($R$)

The British unit used to quantify radiation intensity; it equals the quantity of radiation that produces $2.08 \times 10^9$ ion pairs per cubic centimeter of air.

Gray ($Gy$)

The SI unit for absorbed dose, representing the quantity of radiation energy absorbed by irradiated tissues.

Rad

The British unit for absorbed dose used to quantify biologic effects of radiation on humans and animals by measuring energy deposited in any target.

Sievert ($Sv$)

The SI unit for dose equivalent or occupational exposure, addressing different biologic effects of different types of ionizing radiation.

Rem

The British standard unit for occupational exposure or dose equivalent.

Becquerel ($Bq$)

The SI unit for radioactivity, quantifying the number of individual atoms decaying per second.

Curie ($Ci$)

The British unit for radioactivity; defined as the quantity of radioactive material in which $3.7 \times 10^{10}$ atoms disintegrate every second.

Kerma

An acronym for kinetic energy released per unit mass; describes the quantity of radiation energy delivered to a given point.

Tube Head Assembly

The combination of the x-ray tube, the collimator, and the tube stand.

Wall Unit

Equipment consisting of a vertical rail assembly and a vertical Bucky, used for easily obtained upright examinations.

kVp (kilovoltage peak)

Control panel setting that determines the X-ray energy and penetration.

mAs (milliampere seconds)

Control panel setting that determines the number of X-ray photons produced.

ALARA

A radiation protection principle standing for 'As Low As Reasonably Achievable'.

ARRT

American Registry of Radiologic Technologists; the licensing organization that develops exams for LMRT and RT.

Cardinal Rules of Radiation Protection

Three primary methods to minimize technologist exposure: Time, Distance, and Shielding.

Collimation

The process of limiting the field of X-ray exposure to a specific area of interest.