click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Radiology
Foundations of Radiology
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ALARA Concept | Concept of radiation protection that states that all exposures should be kept "as low as reasonably achievable" |
| Anode | The positive electrode in the x-ray tube. |
| Atom | The basic unit of matter |
| Bremsstrahlung Radiation | "Breaking radiation." The sudden deceleration of electrons as they interact with highly positively charged nuclei |
| Cathode | The negative electrode in the x-ray tube |
| Central ray | X-rays at the center of the beam |
| Contrast | Differences in degrees of blackness on an image. |
| Control panel | The portion of the x-ray unit that contains the master switch, the indicator light, the selector buttons, and the exposure button. |
| Density | The overall darkness or blackness of an image |
| Dental radiography | The process of recording images of the teeth and adjacent structures by exposure to x-radiation |
| Digital imaging | A filmless method of capturing an image and displaying it by using an image receptor, an electronic signal, and a computer to process and store the image. |
| Distortion | Change in the size of an image caused by incorrect vertical angulation. |
| Dose | The amount of energy absorbed by tissues |
| Dosimeter | A device used to detect and measure an accumulated dosage of radiation |
| Electron | A negatively charged particle in the atom |
| Energy | The ability to do work |
| Extension arm | Flexible arm that is attached to the x-ray tubehead |
| Genetic | Effects of radiation that are passed on to future generations through genetic cells |
| Image | Film-based or digitally produced recordings of anatomic structures |
| Image Receptor | A recording medium for an image, normally film, phosphor storage plate(PSP), or a digital sensor |
| Intensity | The total energy of the x-ray beam |
| Ion | An electrically charged particle |
| Ionization | Process by which electrons are removed from atoms, causing the harmful effects of radiation in humans |
| Ionizing | Radiation that produces ionization, resulting in harmful effects. |
| Kilovoltage | Highest voltage of x-ray tube used during an exposure |
| Latent | Time between exposure to ionizing radiation and appearance of symptoms |
| Lead apron | Device used to protect the reproductive and blood-forming tissues from scatter radiation |
| Magnification | The proportional enlargement of an image |
| Master switch, indicator light, selector buttons, exposure button | Components of control panel |
| Matter | Anything that occupies space and has form or shape |
| Milliampere | One one-thousandth of an ampere, a unit of measurement used to describe the intensity of an electrical current |
| Penumbra | The blurred or indistinct area that surrounds an image |
| Personal Radiation Monitoring Badge | A device that measures exposure of personnel to ionizing radiation by measuring the intensity of visible light emitted from the crystal in the detector when heated. The intensity of light emitted is dependent upon the radiation exposure. |
| Photon | A minute bundle of pure energy that has no weight or mass. |
| Primary beam | The most penetrating beam produced at the target of the anode. |
| Primary radiation | Same as primary beam |
| Quality | The mean energy or penetrating ability of the x-ray beam. |
| Quantity | The number of x-rays produced in the dental unit; the quantity of x-rays produced is controlled by milliamperage |
| Radiation | Forms of waves of energy emission through space or material |
| Radiograph | Image produces on photosensitive film by exposing the film to radiation and then processing it |
| Radiology | The science or study of radiation as used in medicine |
| Scatter Radiation | A form of secondary radiation that occurs when an x-ray beam has been deflected from its path by interaction with matter |
| Secondary radiation | X-radiation that is created when the primary beam interacts with matter |
| Sensor | A solid state image Receptor that contains a silicon chip with an electric circuit |
| Sharpness | A measure of how well an image reproduces the fine details or outline of an object |
| Somatic Effects | Effects of radiation that cause illness and are responsible for poor health but are not passed on to offspring |
| Thyroid Collar | A flexible lead shield that is placed securely around the neck |
| Tubehead | The part of the x-ray unit that contains the x-ray tube, the high-voltage and low-voltage transformers, and insulating oil. |
| Tungsten Target | A focal spot in the anode |
| X-radiation | High-energy ionizing electromagnetic radiation |
| Automatic Processor | Machine that automates all film processing steps |
| Beam alignment device | Assists in the positioning of the position indicator device(PID) |
| Bitewing | Image view that shows the crowns of both arches on one film |
| Calcium Tungstate | Common type of phosphor |
| Cassette | Contains extraoral films during exposure |
| Cephalometric Film | Shows the bony and soft tissue areas of the facial profile |
| Charge-Coupled device(CCD) | A solid-state image sensor used in intraoral digital imaging |
| Digital Image | Electronic signals captured by sensors and displayed on computer monitors |
| Digitize | Scanning of traditional film-based radiographs into a digital image |
| Duplicating Film | Film designed for use in film duplicating machines |
| Emulsion | A coating on the x-ray film that contains energy-sensitive crystals |
| Extraoral film | Film designed for use in cassettes |
| Film speed | The sensitivity of the emulsion on the film to radiation |
| Intensifying Screen | The part inside an extraoral cassette that converts x-ray energy into visible light, which in turn exposes screen film |
| Intraoral Film | Film designed for placement in the patient's mouth |
| Label Side | Colored side of the film that faces the tongue |
| Latent image | The invisible image on the x-ray film after exposure but before processing |
| Occlusal | Radiographic view that shows large areas of the maxilla or madible |
| Panoramic film | Used in cassettes to provide a wide view of both the upper and lower jaws |
| periapical | Radiographic view that shows the crowns, root tip, and surrounding structures |
| Phosphor Storage Plate | Reusable film-sized plates coated with phosphor as the image receptor |
| Positioning instruments | Intraoral devices used to position and hold the film, sensor, or PSP |
| Processing | A series of steps that change exposed film into a radiograph. Steps include developing, rinsing, fixing, washing, and drying |
| Radiograph | Image produced on photosensitive film by exposing the film to radiation and then processing it |
| Teledentistry | Process of using electronic transfer of images and other information for consultation and/or insurance purposes in dentistry |
| Tube Side | Solid white side of the film packet that faces the x-ray tube |