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RHS Chapter 38 Vocab
Term | Definition |
---|---|
ALARA concept | The concept of radiation protection that states that all exposures should be kept “as low as reasonably achievable.” |
Ampere | A unit of electrical current. |
Anode | The positive electrode in the x-ray tube. |
Atom | The basic unit of all 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 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 (of radiation) | 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 | A flexible arm that is attached to the x-ray tubehead. |
Genetic effects | The 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 | 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 tissues 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 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 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 the primary beam. |
Quality (of x-ray beam) | The mean energy or penetrating ability of the x-ray beam. |
Quantity (of x-ray beam) | The number of electrons 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 | 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 with matter. |
Sensor | A solid-state image receptor that contains a silicon chip with an electric circuit. |
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 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 | The focal spot in the anode. |
X-radiation | High-energy ionizing electromagnetic radiation. |