Radiology Fundamentals Quiz

The science dealing with diagnosis and treatment using ionizing radiation, such as X-rays, natural isotopes, and artificial isotopes.

The science dealing with the diagnosis and treatment using X-rays in medicine.

The process of creating a shadow image of an object using X-rays on a film or a digital sensor.

The process of taking an X-ray image of structures inside the mouth, using a film or a digital sensor.

The use of intraoral and extraoral radiographs along clinical examination to make a diagnosis and plan treatment.

The first dentist to use intraoral radiographs for root canal treatment.

The first dental radiograph was created by Dr. Otto Walkhoff with a 25-minute exposure time.

Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered X-rays on November 8, 1895.

The force that attracts protons (positively charged) to electrons (negatively charged) within an atom. It's what keeps the electrons bound to the nucleus.

The force that tends to pull electrons away from the nucleus due to their movement and rotation. It opposes the electrostatic force.

The state of an atom when its electrons are in their lowest possible energy levels, A normal, stable atom.

An atom that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net charge. (If it loses electrons, it becomes positive; if it gains electrons, it becomes negative.)

The amount of energy required to remove an electron from its orbit around the nucleus. It's dependent upon the number of protons in the atom.

The movement of energy through space as a combination of electric and magnetic fields.

The distance between two consecutive crests or troughs in a wave.

The number of waves that pass a point in one second.

The energy that has the potential to move objects or produce changes.

Radiation that has enough energy to remove an electron from an atom, potentially causing damage.

Radiation that lacks sufficient energy to remove an electron from an atom.

A high-energy electromagnetic wave used in medical imaging.

The ability of x-rays to pass through different materials at different rates.

Causes materials to glow under exposure to x-rays.

The machine that generates x-rays for medical imaging.

The maximum diameter of the x-ray beam at the end of the position indicating device (PID).

A device used to direct the x-ray beam toward the target area, ensuring accurate positioning and reducing unnecessary radiation exposure.

A type of PID that uses lead to reduce scatter radiation, leading to clearer images and lower patient exposure.

Radiation that has been deflected or changed direction after interacting with matter. It can decrease image sharpness and increase patient exposure.

The primary beam of radiation coming directly from the x-ray tube, containing the most energy.

The portion of primary radiation that passes through the collimator and reaches the patient, creating the image.

Radiation that occurs when the primary beam interacts with matter, causing it to deviate from its original path.

A type of secondary radiation that occurs specifically when incident radiation interacts with heavy metals, creating scattered radiation.

The process by which electrons are released from the cathode filament due to heating. This releases a cloud of electrons ready to be accelerated.

The targeted material in the X-ray tube where accelerated electrons collide. This target is usually made of tungsten.

The process by which electrons are accelerated towards the anode target. This happens due to a strong potential difference between the cathode and anode.

The main form of X-rays produced in an X-ray tube. It's generated when high-speed electrons are slowed down due to interaction with the nucleus of the target atom.

The characteristic radiation produced when a high-speed electron collides with an inner-shell electron of the target atom and ejects it.

The energy of the high-speed electron must be higher than the binding energy of the target electron in the atom in order to eject it.

The difference in energy levels between the orbits of electrons in an atom. This difference is released as a characteristic X-ray during a transition.

The process by which an electron in a higher energy level fills a vacant spot in a lower energy level, releasing characteristic radiation.

The type of X-rays that are produced when an electron completely loses its energy and is stopped by the anode.

The x-rays generated during the deceleration but not complete stopping of the high-speed electrons.

The process of producing X-rays by bombarding a metal target (usually tungsten) with high-speed electrons. The electrons interact with the target atoms, causing some to emit X-rays.

The process where most of the energy from electron interactions with the target material is converted into heat, rather than X-rays.

A metal filter placed in the X-ray beam path to remove low-energy X-rays. This improves image quality and reduces patient exposure.

A device that restricts the size and shape of the X-ray beam, ensuring only the desired area is exposed.

The combination of inherent filtration (built into the X-ray tube), and added filtration (external aluminum filters) to reduce the amount of low-energy X-rays in the beam. The total filtration must meet certain requirements for patient safety.

A device that controls the duration of X-ray exposure, ensuring the right amount of radiation is delivered for each image.