What are the types of beam restriction used in radiology?

In radiology, beam restriction is a crucial technique used to limit the size of the X-ray beam, which helps to reduce patient exposure to radiation and improve image quality. The use of cones and collimators as beam restrictors helps in achieving these goals effectively.

Cones are devices that have a defined shape and are used to focus the X-ray beam to a specific area; they limit the radiation field spatially. Collimators, on the other hand, are adjustable devices that can change the dimensions of the X-ray beam. They can be set to restrict the beam to the area of interest, allowing for a more precise and controlled exposure. This aligns the radiation with the anatomy being imaged and minimizes unnecessary scatter radiation to surrounding tissues, enhancing the quality of the diagnostic images and protecting patient safety.

Filters and grids, while important in radiography, serve different purposes. Filters are used to remove low-energy photons from the X-ray beam, improving image quality and reducing patient dose, while grids are used to reduce the amount of scattered radiation that reaches the image receptor. Shields and detectors, as well as lenses and masks, do not serve the function of beam restriction and are not utilized in this specific context.

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