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radiology vocab
| 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 | "Braking 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 of 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 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, 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. |