Dental Terminology - Radiography

anode

Positive pole in X-ray tube that serves as the target for the electron force.

aperture

Opening or port in a collimator disk to regulate the size of an X-ray beam.

cathode

Negative pole in X-ray tube that serves as an electron source.

cephalometric

Pertaining to the head; in X-ray, a cephalometric film is a view of the entire head.

cephalostat

Pin used to center and stabilize the head during X-ray exposure.

collimator

Device used to regulate the exit of an X-ray beam from the tube.

coulomb

International electromagnetic measurement.

diaphragm

Layer over the disc end of a stethoscope; enlarges or amplifies pulse sounds.

dosimeter

Measures the amount of stray or secondary X-ray exposure.

edentulous

Without teeth.

electromagnetic

Physical force generating electricity produced by a magnetic current.

elongation

Radiographic placement error resulting in an extended length of the tooth image; ability of a metal to stretch before permanent deformation begins.

erythema

Skin redness that may be a result of radiation or allergy.

filament

Tungsten coil in the cathode focusing cup to generate the electrons.

foreshortening

Error in radiographic placement resulting in shortened tooth image on film surface.

Frankfort plane

Imaginary line from the tragus of the ear to the floor of the orbit used to align the maxillary arch parallel to the floor.

Kilovolt

1000 volt unit; mA describes quantity of electrons that control the amount of X-rays produced in the primary beam.

latent image

When film is exposed to X-rays, it forms an invisible image.

laminagraphy

Technique in which tissue images are collected and measured in slices or sections.

milliampere

One-thousandth of an ampere (electric current).

Panoramic

Capturing a view of the entire dentition with the surrounding structures on one film.

phantom

Device used for practice in learning radiation exposure techniques.

phosphors

A substance that emits light when excited by radiation.

polytomography

Several slices or sections of the tooth or body.

pseudocolor

Selection of a color shade to enhance a digital image.

radiant

Energy that is given off from a central source.

Radiology

The study of the human body by use of X-ray technology.

Radiolucent

Describes a radiograph that appears dark, or the ability of a substance to permit passage of X-rays.

radiopaque

Portion of the radiograph that appears light; ability of a substance to resist radiation penetration.

teleradiography

The ability to transfer the captured information to other sites and sources by computer.

tomogram

The finished image in a tomography procedure.

volumetric

Addition of volume to an image to produce a more 3D quality image.

voxel

Picture element giving depth and volume.