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Radiation words
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ALARA concept | The concept of radiation that states that all exposures should be kept "as low as reasonably achievable" |
| Ampere | A unit of electric current |
| Anode | The positive electrode in the x- ray tube |
| Atom | The basic unit of matter |
| Bermsstrhlung 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 | Difference 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 exspore 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 t process and store the image |
| Distortion | Change in the size of an image caused by incorrect vertical angulation |
| Dose (of radiation) | The amount of energy absorbed by tissue |
| 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 | A flexible arm that is attached to thee x-ray tube head |
| Genetic effects | The effects of radiation that are passed on to future generations through genetic cells |
| Image | Film- based on digitally produced recording of anatomic structures |
| Image receptor | The 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 | The process by which electrons are removed from atoms, causing the harmful effects of radiation in humans |
| Ionizing radiation | Radiation that produces ionization resulting in harmful effects |
| Kilovoltage peak (kVp) | The highest voltage of x-ray tube used during an exposure |
| Latent period | The time between exposure to ionizing radiation and the appearance of symptoms |
| Lead apron | A device used to protect the reproductive and blood-forming tissue from scatter radiation |
| Magnification | The proportional enlargement of an image |
| Master switch, indicator light, selector buttons, exposure button | Components of the control panel |
| Matter | Anything that occupies space and has form or shape |
| Milliampere (mA) | One one- thousandth (1/1000) of an ampere; a unit of measurement used to describe the intensity of 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 a crystal in the detector when heated; the intensity of light emitted depends on the radiation exposure |
| Photon | A minute (tiny) 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 | The same as he primary beam |
| Quality (of x-ray beam) | The mean energy or penetrating ability of the x-ray beam |
| Radiation | Forms of waves of energy emission through space or material |
| Radiograph | The image produced 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 |
| Sensor | A solid- state image receptor that contains a silicon chip with an electric circit |
| Sharpness | The measure of how well an image reproduces the fine details or outline of an object |
| Somatic effects | The effects of radiation that cause illness and are responsible for poor health (such as cancer, leukemia, and cataracts) but are are not passed on to off spring |
| 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 | The focal spot in the anode |
| X-radiation | High energy ionizing electromagnetic radiation |