Which device is used to absorb scattered radiation produced in the patient before it reaches the image receptor?

Which device is used to absorb scattered radiation produced in the patient before it reaches the image receptor?

• A. Collimator
• B. Grid
• C. Scatter shield
• D. Beam stop

Answer: (B)

Scattered radiation produced in the patient degrades image contrast as it adds a fog-like exposure to the image receptor. A grid placed between the patient and the image receptor contains lead strips with radiolucent interspaces that absorb most of the scattered photons while letting the primary photons pass through the spaces. This selective absorption preserves the integrity of the primary beam reaching the receptor, resulting in a crisper, higher-contrast image. Keep in mind that using a grid requires increasing the exposure to compensate for primary photons absorbed by the lead. The grid’s effectiveness depends on its ratio and frequency, but the key idea is that it specifically targets scatter before it reaches the receptor.

Scattered radiation produced in the patient degrades image contrast as it adds a fog-like exposure to the image receptor. A grid placed between the patient and the image receptor contains lead strips with radiolucent interspaces that absorb most of the scattered photons while letting the primary photons pass through the spaces. This selective absorption preserves the integrity of the primary beam reaching the receptor, resulting in a crisper, higher-contrast image. Keep in mind that using a grid requires increasing the exposure to compensate for primary photons absorbed by the lead. The grid’s effectiveness depends on its ratio and frequency, but the key idea is that it specifically targets scatter before it reaches the receptor.