x-ray basics

Question 1

is x ray safe

Answer 1

no radioactive substance is used, but potentially hazardous

note: all x rays may cause alteration of cellular division and other intracellular processes
* skin damage = dose-dependent, cancer = random occurrence

Question 2

how is an x ray produced

Answer 2

x rays travel in straight lines and are variably attenuated (i.e. absorbed/scattered) according to density and thickness of body tissues

note: the denser the tissue, the more x rays are attenuated (hence, x rays are attenuated more by BONE than by lung tissue)

Question 3

how to get an accurate view of the body

Answer 3

posterior-anterior (PA) beam view allows an accurate representation of the size of major organs in the body

note: since the organs are positioned closer to the detector, and hence, less magnified

Question 4

what are the different x ray densities

Answer 4

least dense (black) to most dense (white): air, fat, soft tissue, bone, metal