Radiation Physics
This lead disk with a central hole restricts the size and shape of the x-ray beam as it leaves the tubehead.
What is the lead collimator
This theory suggests that radiation interacts with water in the cell to form free radicals, which then damage critical molecules.
What is the indirect theory
This type of contrast has few shades of gray, producing a very black-and-white image.
What is high contrast
This term refers to the fuzzy or blurred edges seen on a radiographic image.
What is penumbra
This term describes areas on a radiograph that appear dark or black because the x-rays pass through easily.
What is radiolucent
In the wave concept of electromagnetic radiation, these two properties are inversely related — as one increases, the other decreases.
What is frequency and wavelength.
This process occurs when x-rays strike atoms, removing electrons and creating charged particles that can damage tissues.
What is ionization
This setting controls the speed and energy of electrons, which determines the penetrating power of the x-ray beam.
What is kV (kilovoltage)
This term refers to the overall darkness or blackness of a radiographic image.
What is density
This term refers to the dense white line that surrounds the tooth socket on a radiograph, representing the cortical bone.
What is lamina dura
Name the charge and where the tungsten target is located in the x-ray tube
What is the positive anode
These types of cells, like muscle cells, nerve cells, and mature bone cells, are less affected by radiation.
What are radioresistant cells
This setting controls the number of electrons produced at the cathode, affecting the quantity of x-rays produced.
What is mA (milliamperage)
This type of distortion makes a tooth appear shorter than it really is because the x-ray beam hits the tooth at too steep an angle.
What is foreshortening
This bony projection of the maxilla articulates with the zygoma and is visible on radiographs as a dense U or J-shaped area above the molars.
What is zygomatic process
This process occurs when the tungsten filament in the cathode is heated, releasing electrons that form a cloud.
These biologic effects of radiation occur by chance, with the likelihood increasing as dose increases, but the severity is not dose-dependent.
What are stochastic effects
This law states that the intensity of radiation decreases in proportion to the square of the distance from the source.
What is the inverse square law
This term refers to the difference in degrees of blackness between adjacent areas on a radiograph, which allows structures to be distinguished
What is contrast
This type of bone, also called spongy or trabecular bone, appears less radiopaque on a radiograph due to its porous, lattice-like structure.
What is cancellous bone
This innermost electron shell of an atom has the highest binding energy.
What is the K shells
These radiation effects are seen in the person who was exposed, rather than being passed on to future generations.
What are somatic effects
This is measured in impulses (with 60 impulses per second) and controls how long the x-ray tube emits radiation.
What is exposure time
This setting primarily controls contrast on a dental image
What is kilovoltage (kV)
This term refers to the alveolar bone found at the most coronal portion of the tooth socket, visible as a thin radiopaque line on a radiograph.
What is crestal bone