Automatic Exposure Control (AEC)
Terminates the exposure time when a certain quantity of radiation has been detected at the Image receptor.
Bremsstrahlung Radiation
Radiation that is created when an electron enters the tungsten anode of the x-ray tube, misses the tungsten electrons, and gets very near the nucleus.
Bucky
Contains a moveable grid device that absorbs scatter radiation and also contains the image receptor.
Central Ray (CR)
The center of the x-ray beam and perpendicular to the long axis of the x-ray tube.
Characteristic Radiation
Radiation that is created when an electron enters the tungsten anode of the x-ray tube and knocks out a K-shell electron.
Collimation
The method of restricting and confiding the x-ray beam to a given area.
Computed Radiography
A cassette-based digital imaging system where the image of the body part is obtained using storage phosphor plate.
Digital Radiography (DR)
Cassetteless imaging system where the phosphor is bonded to a flat panel detector or the system converts x-ray energy directly to an electronic signal.
Distortion
The differences between the actual subject and its radiographic image.
Energy
The ability to do work.
Exposure Indicator (EI)
A numeric value indicating the quantity of ionizing radiation received by a digital radiographic image receptor; also called an exposure index
Fog
The unwanted image exposure caused by scatter radiation.
Generator
Delivers the electrical power to the x-ray tube and permits the selection of x-ray energy, x-ray quantity, and exposure time.
Image Receptor (IR)
The device that receives the energy of the x-ray beam and forms the image of the body part.
Ionizing Radiation
Radiation that, when passing through the body, produces positively and negatively charged particles.
Kilovolts Peak (kVp)
The unit of measure used to assess the voltage; controls the penetrating power of the x-ray beam.
Line Focus Principle
The relationship between the actual focal spot on the anode surface and the effective focal spot size.
Matter
Anything that occupies space and has a shape or form.
Object-To-Image-Receptor Distance (OID)
The distance between the subject and the image receptor.
Primary Radiation
The radiation that leaves the tube.
Radiation Field
The squared area of the x-ray beam that strikes the patient and the x-ray table.
Radiation Protection
The measures taken to safeguard patients, personnel, and the public from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation.
Scatter Radiation
Radiation from the primary beam that is randomly scattered within or outside of the body.
Source-To-Image-Receptor Distance (SID)
The distance between the tube target and the image receptor.
Thermionic Emission
Electrons begin to "boil effect, "when the filament is heated.
X-Ray Tube
The source of x-rays; the x-rays are formed within the x-ray tube.