What does increased filtration equal in regard to receptor exposure?

Increased filtration in radiography is designed to remove low-energy photons from the x-ray beam. These low-energy photons contribute to patient dose but do not significantly contribute to the quality of the image. By filtering out these less penetrating x-rays, the overall exposure to the receptor decreases, leading to lower exposure values.

This reduction in exposure occurs because the more penetrating, high-energy photons are more likely to reach the receptor and contribute to image formation, while the low-energy photons, which would otherwise add to the overall exposure, are filtered out. Thus, as filtration increases, the number of photons reaching the receptor diminishes, resulting in lower exposure levels and a clearer, higher-quality image as a result of reduced scatter and less noise.

Overall, the relationship between increased filtration and receptor exposure is that it leads to lower exposure at the receptor due to the removal of unnecessary low-energy radiation, thereby enhancing the quality of the diagnostic image.