IMAGE PRODUCTION

3. scattering Low-energy x-ray interaction where the photon excites an atom and changes direction without losing energy. Not important in diagnostic radiography.
4. electron The ejected outer-shell electron from a Compton interaction. Also called a secondary electron.
10. The reduction in energy or number of x-ray photons as the beam passes through tissue. Caused by absorption and scattering.
11. Live, continuous x-ray imaging of moving internal structures. Displayed on a monitor.
12. image The visible image after processing the latent image.
14. image The invisible image formed on the receptor after exposure but before processing.
16. radiation Also called remnant radiation. The x-rays that leave the patient and hit the image receptor. Includes both transmitted and scattered radiation.

1. absorption The difference in how various tissues absorb or transmit x-rays. Creates the image by showing structures with different brightness levels.
2. The process of removing an electron from an atom. X-rays can cause ionization during interactions like the photoelectric or Compton effect.
3. effect X-ray photon interacts with an outer-shell electron, ejects it, loses energy, and changes direction. Causes image fog and contributes no useful info.
5. A grid of rows and columns used to display a digital image. Each box is a pixel.
6. resolution The ability of the imaging system to distinguish between similar tissues. More bit depth means better contrast resolution.
7. effect An interaction where an x-ray photon is completely absorbed and ejects an inner-shell electron. This creates contrast in the image.
8. Unwanted exposure on an image, usually caused by scatter radiation. Reduces image quality.
9. range The range of exposure intensities the image receptor can detect. A wider range allows better image quality.
13. receptor The device that captures the exit radiation to form the latent image. Examples include digital detectors.
15. When x-ray photon energy is deposited within atoms of tissue and fully absorbed. This occurs through the photoelectric effect.