Radiographic nomenclature Flashcards

(analog-to-digital converter) converts image information
into numerical data

automatic exposure control (ionization chamber located
between the patient and the image receptor)

mathematical formula used by the computer to
construct the radiographic image

positive electrode in the x-ray tube

anatomically programmed radiography;
anatomically programmed technique; exposure technique is
set by the radiographer by choosing the proper anatomic part
and projection on the control panel

an unwanted marking on a radiographic image

also known as positive beam limitation
(PBL); the ability of the radiographic equipment to collimate
automatically the x-ray beam to the same size as the image
receptor resting in the Bucky tray

either 1 or 0; the computer’s unit of information

the number of shades of gray available within a pixel

effect of motion on the radiographic image

the amount of light coming from the monitor on which the radiographic image is displayed

short for Poer-Bucky diaphragm; a moving grid used to remove scaer radiation from the remnant beam, which can cause fog on the image receptor

container used for holding the imaging plate in
computed radiography (CR)

negative electrode in the x-ray tube

box-like structure attached to the x-ray tube containing lead shutters that limit the x-ray beam to a specific area of the body

solutions or gasses introduced into the body to
increase the scale of contrast, making more detail visible;
negative contrast medium is air; positive contrast media are
barium and iodine

digital radiographic imaging using a cassette containing an imaging plate

the visible difference between two selected areas of
brightness in the radiographic image; contrast allows detail to
be visible

the smallest change in signal that can be detected by the image receptor

dose area product, a measure of the total radiation
exposure to the patient, extrapolated from the dose in the air
just above the patient

a standard protocol used for blending a picture archiving and
communications system and various imaging modalities

uses fixed detectors that directly communicate with a computer

misrepresentation of the size or shape of the object as recorded in the radiographic image

the ability of an image receptor to capture the x-ray photons leaving the patient

describes the status of the exposure and diagnostic value of the digital image

“live action” imaging when the x-ray beam is on,
creating images of the body as it functions and displaying
those images on a monitor

area of the anode in the x-ray tube from which x-rays emanate

device that is placed between the patient and the image
receptor that absorbs scatter radiation exiting the body

hospital information system

health level seven, an international standard for communicating medical information

graphic display of the distribution of pixel values in adigital image

any device or medium that captures the remnant beam

plate that is coated with photostimulable
phosphors that absorb the photon energies exiting the patient;
located inside a computed radiography (CR) cassette

that is applied to the x-ray tube, which
determines the wavelength of the x-ray beam and its ability to
penetrate the body, impacting the overall contrast of the
radiographic image

coverings worn by radiographers who are in a
radiographic or fluoroscopic room with the x-ray beam
turned on; also required to be worn for radiation protection
when performing portable radiography; the lead absorbs
most of the scatter radiation that strikes the apron

the product of milliamperage and time; mA is the current that is passed through the x-ray tube, whose energy is then converted to x-rays when it strikes the anode; it determines the number of x-rays produced and,
consequently, the overall exposure striking the image receptor; radiation exposure to the patient is directly proportional to the mAs used

digital image that is made up of rows and columns of data

imaging patients in locations other than an x-ray room, such as the patient’s room or operating room (see surgical radiography); because of presence of scatter radiation, the radiographer is required to wear a dosimeter and lead apron

distance from the part being examined to the image receptor

picture archiving and communications system

picture element; the smallest component of a matrix

digital manipulation of a radiographic image after its acquisition by the computer

coating on the imaging plate of a computed radiography cassette

image as viewed on a monitor after acquisition

specific position of the body or body part in relation to the table or image receptor

path the x-ray beam takes as it passes through the body; described as if the body is in the anatomical position

term used to explain how the image receptor sees the body image; the opposite of the radiographic projection

x-ray beam that exits the patient; is made up of image-forming rays and scatter radiation

radiology information system

x-rays emanating from the patient in divergent paths rather than straight to the image receptor; the source of the radiographer’s occupational dose, requiring the wearing of a lead apron and dosimeter for fluoroscopy and mobile radiography

the sharpness of the structural edges in the radiographic image; the smallest detail that can be detected

distance from the source of radiation (x-ray tube anode) to the image receptor

distance from the source of radiation (x-ray tube anode) to the part being examined

radiographic procedures performed by the radiographer in the operating room, usually using a C-arm (portable fluoroscope)

the three cardinal principles of radiation protection; least amount of time exposed, greatest distance from the source of radiation, use of lead or other
barriers to shield

volume element; section of tissue represented by a pixel

level midpoint of densities in a digital image; used to adjust digital image brightness

width adjusts contrast of the digital image

location of the monitor on which radiographic images are displayed

a form of electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths that
can penetrate matter