Absorption - When all of the x-ray energy is absorbed by the ejected electron
Acute radiation syndrome - Radiation sickness that occurs in humans after whole-body
doses of 1 Gy or more of ionizing radiation delivered over a short time; not seen in
diagnostic imaging
ALARA - Principle that states that rad exposure should be As Low As Reasonably
Achievable
Anatomic Position - The position in which the patient is standing erect, with the face
directed forward, arms extended by the sides with the palms facing forward, and the
toes pointing anteriorly
Anatomically Programmed Radiography (APR) - Technique by which graphics on the
console guide the operator in section of a desired kVp and mAs
Angiography - The fluoroscopic imaging of blood vessels
Anode - Positively charged side of an x-ray tube that contains the target
Anterior-posterior - From front to back
ARRT - American Registry of Radiologic Technologists - The world's largest
credentialing organization in medical imaging, interventional procedures, and radiation
therapy; certify and register technologist through administration of education, ethics and
examination requirements
Artifact - Unintended optical density on a radiograph or another film-type image receptor
ASRT - American Society of Radiologic Tecnologists - Professional organization that
promotes research, continuing education and the guidelines for radiography instructions
Atom - Smallest particle of an element that cannot be divided or broken by chemical
means
Atomic Number (z) - Number of protons in a nucleus
Attenuation - Absorption of the x-ray beam in matter, usually the human body
Automatic exposure control (AEC) - Feature that determines radiation exposure during
radiography in most x-ray imaging systems
,Back-up time - When the exposure timer is manually set by the operator to a time that is
greater than the anticipated exposure time
Bergonie-Tribondeau Law - Principle that states that the radio sensitivity of cells is
directly proportional to the reproductive activity and inversely proportional to their
degree of differentiation
Binding Energy - The energy required to separate a single particle or group of particles
from a molecule, atom or nucleus
Biological Damage - The damage produced from exposure to radiation
Bremsstrahlung x-ray - X-ray that results from interaction of the projectile electron with a
target nucleus; also know as breaking radiation
Bucky Tray - A device that contains a moving grid
Caliper - A tool for a body part measurement
Cardinal principles of radiation protection - The methods used to protect operators from
unnecessary radiation exposure; time, distance and shielding
Cassette - A rigid holder that contains the film and screens
Cathode - Negative side of the x-ray tube; contains the filament and the focusing cup
Central ray - Center of the primary x-ray beam that interacts with the image receptor
Characteristic radiation - One of two types of x-ray productions. It is created when an
electron enters the tungsten anode of the x-ray tube and knocks out a K-shell electron.
This interaction produces and x-ray photon.
Coherent scattering - Scattering of x-rays with no loss of energy; also called classical
scattering
Collimation - Restriction of the useful x-ray beam to reduce pt dose and improve image
contrast
Collimator - A boxlike device attached under the tube housing which allows the x-ray
operator to vary the beam size and shape
Compensating filter - Material inserted between an x-ray source and a pt to shape the
intensity of the x-ray beam
Compton Scattering - Interaction between an x-ray and a loosely bound outer-shell
electron that results in ionization and x-ray scattering
, Computed Radiography (CR) - One of the two types of digital imaging systems. CR is
cassette based and uses a photostimulable phosphor as the image receptor.
Computed Tomography (CT) - Radiography in which a three-dimensional image of a
body structure is constructed by computer from a series of plan cross-sectional images
made along an axis
Contrast - Degree of difference between the light and dark areas of radiograph
Contrast Resolution - The ability to distinguish anatomical structures of similar subject
contrast such as liver-spleen and gray matter-white matter
Control Badge - Extra personal dosimeter that is used to measure any radiation
exposure that might occur to the entire batch while in transit. It should be stored away
from any possibility of x-ray exposure.
Control Booth - The area where the control console is located. It is separated from the
x-ray room by a lead barrier to protect the operator from scatter radiation
Control Console - The access point at which the operator sets the exposure factors and
initiates the exposure.
Conventional System - One of two systems used to measure radiation and radiation
dose.
CR Reader - Unit used in computed radiography to scan and process the latent image
Dead man switch - A switch that is automatically operated if the human operator
becomes incapacitated, such as through death, loss of consciousness, or being bodily
removed from control.
Decubitus - The patient is recumbent or lying down and the x-ray beam is horizontal
Densitometer - Instrument that measures the optical density of exposed film
Density - Overall blackness of the radio graph
Detail - Degree of sharpness of structural lines on a radiograph
Detent - A special mechanism built into tube supports to stope movement in a specific
location
Differential absorption - Different degrees of absorption in different tissues that result in
image contrast and formation of the x-ray image
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