Image Quality (Shape Distortion) - Video Lesson

Hey, everybody. Welcome back. This lesson is about type of radiographic distortion called shape distortion. Shape distortion is when the anatomy of interest looks shorter or longer on the radiograph than the anatomy truly is. The image of the anatomy will not be true to the actual shape of the object if the x-ray tube image receptor or anatomy of interest are out of alignment. Shape distortion is important to be aware of as it can affect a radiologist's ability to accurately diagnose a pathology. Shape distortion can cause misrepresentation of the size or position of a patient's anatomy or pathology. There are two types of shape distortion, foreshortening and the elongation. Foreshortening is when the anatomy of interest appears shorter on the radiograph than the anatomy truly is.