DANB RHS Ultimate Review

Radiology

The study of radiation as it’s used in medicine.

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen

German physicist who discovered X-rays on November 8, 1895.

Roentgen rays

Another name for X-rays.

Roentgenology

Another name for radiology.

Roentgenographs

Another name for radiographs.

Nobel Prize in Physics 1901

Awarded to Roentgen for his discovery of X-rays.

Dental radiograph

The first dental X-ray was made by Otto Walkhoff.

C. Edmund Kells

Credited with the first practical use of radiographs in dentistry in 1896.

Ionization

The process where an atom gains or loses electrons to become charged.

X-rays

A form of energy that can penetrate matter.

Types of Radiation

Primary, secondary, scatter, and leakage radiation.

Primary radiation

X-rays that come directly from the target of the x-ray tubes.

Secondary radiation

X-radiation created when the primary beam interacts with matter.

Scatter radiation

Form of secondary radiation that is deflected from its path upon interacting with matter.

Leakage radiation

X-rays that escape in all directions from the tubehead.

Radiolucent structures

Allow X-rays to pass through and appear dark or black on radiographs.

Radiopaque structures

Do not allow X-rays to pass through and appear white or light grey.

Sharpness in x-rays

Detail, resolution, or definition of the radiographic image.

Density in x-rays

Overall blackness or darkness of a radiographic image.

Geometric Characteristics

Include sharpness, distortion, and magnification of the dental image.

Contrast

Difference between shades of grey in a radiographic image.

ALARA principle

As Low As Reasonably Achievable; minimizing radiation exposure.

Fast-Speed Film

Film that requires less radiation to produce quality radiographs.

Digital Radiography

Uses lower radiation, does not require processing chemicals, and enhances images.

Intraoral Imaging

Includes periapical and bitewing images for dental evaluation.

Extraoral Imaging

Used when larger areas of the skull or jaw must be examined.

Frankfort Plane

Imaginary line from the middle of the ear to just below the eye socket.

Midsaggital Plane

Imaginary line that divides the face into right and left halves.

Genetic effects of radiation

Cannot be repaired and can be passed to future generations.

Somatic effects of radiation

Not passed to the next generation; effects remain with the individual.

Maximum Permissible Dose (MPD)

The maximum allowable exposure to radiation, set at 5000 mrem per year.

Radiation Safety

Concerns with exposure effects and employing protective measures.

Latent period

The time between exposure to radiation and the appearance of biological effects.