Radiography

Introduction
 Objectives
To describe
 Properties of x-rays
 Production of x-rays
 Formation of radiographic image
 Components of an x-ray room
 The projections
 The radiographic technique
 What are x-rays?

 Kind of
electromagnetic
radiation
 Means of
propagation of
energy
 Nature of x-rays
 Two theories to describe the nature

1. Wave theory (Propagate as waves)

C = f λ ; Speed = frequency x wavelength
2. Corpuscular theory (Involved in
interactions as particles)
E=hf;
Photon Energy = Plank’s constant x
Frequency
Properties/Characteristics of EM
Radiation
 Common properties

 Properties Specific to x-rays

 Characteristics of X-Rays
1. X-rays are invisible.
2. X-rays are electrically neutral. They have neither
a positive nor a negative charge.
3. They cannot be accelerated or made to change
direction by a magnet or electrical field.
4. X-rays have no mass.
5. X-rays travel at the speed of light in a vacuum.
6. X-rays cannot be optically focused.
7. X-rays form a polyenergetic or heterogenous
beam.
8. The x-ray beam used in diagnostic radiography
comprises many photons that have many
different energies.
9. X-rays travel in straight lines.
10. X-rays can cause some substances to fluoresce.
11. X-rays cause chemical changes to occur in
radiographic and photographic film.
12. X-rays can be absorbed or scattered by tissues
in the human body.
13. X-rays can produce secondary radiation.
14. X-rays can cause chemical and biologic damage
to living tissue.
 Properties & uses of x-rays
1. Rectilinear propagation
2. Penetration ability
3. Differential absorption
4. Fluorescent effect
5. Photographic effect
6. Ionization of medium
7. Biological effects
1. Prediction of the path
2. Basis of radiography
3. Tissue differentiation
4. Intensification of image
& fluoroscopy
5. Image recording on
photographic emulsions
(films)
6. Detection &
measurement of
radiation
7. Radiotherapy & Need for
radiation protection
 Production of X-rays
X-rays are produced in an X-Ray tube by
two processes:
1. Deceleration of fast moving electrons
either by stopping, reducing speed or by
changing its direction
2. The transfer of an electron between two
inner orbits of an atom
Target of an X-ray tube
(Continuous spectrum)
Characteristic radiation
Lay out of an X-ray room
1. Tap and sink
2. Hand gel
3. Detergent wipes
4. Soap and towel dispenser
5. Vomit bowels
6. Latex gloves / non latex gloves for those
with allergies
7. Equipment needed for IVPs
8. General waste bin
9. Sharps bin
10. Emergency resuscitation mask/oxygen
connectors
11. Oxygen outlet
12. Suction outlet
13. X-ray table
14. Overhead x-ray tube
15. Lead gowns
16. Moveable seat for patient positioning
17. Long leg x-ray film holder
18. Wall bucky
19. Arm extension for vertical bucky
20. External film holder
21. Contrast warmer
22. Filters for x-ray tube
23. Positioning Aids
24. Lead shielding
 Principle of Image formation
 X-ray beam of uniform intensity falls on
object consists of structures with different
absorption properties.
 It attenuates in different amounts by different
structures
 The transmitted beam consists of different
intensities – called the ‘aerial image’
 The aerial image falls on the image receptor,
usually on a cassette containing x-ray film
& intensifying screens
 X-ray tube

Plot of incident x-ray

beam intensity

Object

Invisible x-ray Plot of transmitted x-ray

image beam intensity
 Invisible x-ray image
kV mA Sec FFD

Supporting tissue (m)

B
B1 B2 T1 T2 T3 Air

Invisible
X-ray
image
E B1 E
EM
B2 ET1 consists
EM of
different x-
ET2 ray
ET3 intensities
EA
 Focal spot

X-ray beam

Cross section

Plot of x-ray
intensities
 Radiographic projections
 AP
 PA
 Lateral
 Obliques:- RAO, LAO, RPO, LPO
 Decubitus (patient lying down and the x-ray
beam horizontal)
 Description of Techniques
 Position of patient
 Position of body part
 Position of cassette related to body part
 Direction and centre of x-ray beam
 Breathing status
 Exposure factors
 Radiographic appearance - criteria
 Conclusion

 The accuracy of diagnosis depends on the

quality of the Image.
 The radiographic image should have,
– Optimum contrast
– High resolution
– Minimum unsharpness
– Less noise
– No artefacts
– High definition
 END

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