Radiology Flashcards
(155 cards)
Radiographs
Images created by Xray which have been projected through and object and interacted with a receptor
Different shades of grey on the image correspond to the different types of tissue and thicknesses of tissue involved
Why are radiographs useful?
Provide ability to see structures within the body, particularly mineralised tissues - many dental related conditions affect the mineral content of tissues
Can show normal anatomy and pathology
Aid diagnosis, treatment planning and monitoring
Common intra and extra oral dental radiographs
Intra
Bitewings
Periapical
Occlusal
Extra
Panoramic
Lateral cephalogram
Electromagnetic radiation
Flow of energy created by simultaneously varying electrical and magnetic fields
No mass
No charge
Travels at speed of light
Can travel in a vacuum
EM spectrum
Shorter wavelength, higher frequency. higher energy
Gamma
Xray
UV
Visible light
Infrared
Microwaves
Radiowaves
Longer wavelength, lower frequency, lower energy
Frequency of EM waves
How many times one full wave cycle is repeated per unit time in Hertz
One Hz = One cycle per second
Speed of EM waves formula
Speed = frequency x wavelength
Energy of EM waves
Measured in electron volts
1 eV = energy (in joules) gained by one electron moving across a potential difference of one volt
Xray photon energies
124eV - 124 keV
Medical imaging uses mostly hard Xrays >5keV
Hard Xrays vs soft Xrays
Have higher energies and are able to penetrate human tissues
Soft are easily absorbed
What is the difference between Xrays and Gamma rays?
Gamma occur naturally
Production of Xrays
Electrons are fired at atoms at very high speed and on collision the kinetic energy of the electrons is converted into EM radiation and heat
Xray photons are aimed at a substance
Xrays cause ionisation - displace electrons from atoms/molecules
Electron shells
Orbits around atom where electrons are found
Electrons fill available spaces in innermost shells first
Shells are called K, L, M, N etc
Max number of electrons in a shell
2n^2 where n is shell number
Binding energy
Energy required to exceed electrostatic force between an electron and it’s nucleus, and remove the electron
Higher atomic number = higher electrostatic force
Amps
Measure of how much charge flows past a point per second
Current
A flow of electrical charge usually by movement of electrons
Why must Xray units modify mains electrical current?
Mains is alternation current, Xray requires direct current - rectification of the curren
Voltage
Difference in electrical potential between two points in an electrical field and is related to how forcefully a charge will be pushed through an electrical field
Measured in volts V
Synonymous with potential difference
Electrical supply to Xray unit
UK mains electricity is AC 13 amps or less, 220-240 volts
Dental Xray requires a direct current with 2 different voltages - one as high as 10s of thousands of volts, one as low as around 10
Transformers alter voltage from one circuit to another
One transformer mains -> Xray tube (cathode - anode)
One transformer mains -> filament
Xray beam
Made up on millions of Xray photons directed in the same general direction
They travel in straight lines but diverge from Xray source
Intensity is the quantity of photon energy passing through a cross sections area of the beam per unit time
Increased number or energy of photons = increased intensity, proportional to the current in the filament and voltage across the Xray tube
Intensity of Xray compared to distance from source
The intensity of Xray beam is inversely proportional to the square distance between the Xray source and the point of measurement
Doubling the distance will quarter the dose
Xray production basic outline
Electrons accelerated towards atoms at very high speed
On collision, the kinetic energy of these electrons is converted to heat and electromagnetic radiation (ideally Xray photons)
The Xray photons are aimed at a subject
Components of Xray unit
Tubehead
Collimator
Positioning arm
Control panel
Circuitry