Anode Heel Effect Quiz

Which part of the x-ray tube is responsible for the anode heel effect?

• Cathode

• Anode

• Filament

• Glass envelope

What is the primary cause of the anode heel effect in x-ray tubes?

• Variation in tube current

• Absorption of x-rays within the anode material

• Fluctuations in exposure time

• Patient movement

Which side of the x-ray field has the lowest intensity due to the anode heel effect?

• Anode side

• Cathode side

• Center

• Both sides are equal

The anode heel effect is most pronounced when which of the following conditions is present?

• Large focal spot size

• Short source-to-image distance (SID)

• Small field size

• High tube voltage

Which of the following best describes the distribution of radiation intensity across the x-ray field due to the anode heel effect?

• Uniform across the field

• Greater on the cathode side, less on the anode side

• Greater on the anode side, less on the cathode side

• Greatest at the center, less at the edges

If a radiographer wants to minimize the anode heel effect, which adjustment should they make?

• Increase the field size

• Increase the source-to-image distance (SID)

• Decrease the tube voltage

• Use a larger focal spot

A patient is being imaged for a femur x-ray. To take advantage of the anode heel effect, where should the thicker part of the femur be positioned?

• Toward the anode side

• Toward the cathode side

• In the center of the field

• It does not matter

How does the anode heel effect influence patient dose distribution during an x-ray procedure?

• It causes uniform dose distribution

• It increases dose on the anode side

• It increases dose on the cathode side

• It decreases overall patient dose

Which of the following field sizes will result in the most noticeable anode heel effect?

• 10 cm x 10 cm

• 20 cm x 20 cm

• 30 cm x 30 cm

• 5 cm x 5 cm

A radiographer is imaging a patient’s thorax. The patient’s head is at the anode end and feet at the cathode end. Which part of the image will receive the highest x-ray intensity?

• Head

• Thorax center

• Feet

• Both ends receive equal intensity