What artifact can result from a dirty receptor or scanning surface?

What artifact can result from a dirty receptor or scanning surface?

• A. Motion artifact
• B. Ring artifact
• C. Receptor contamination artifact causing irregular density or streaks
• D. Grid artifact

Answer: (C)

Contamination on the receptor or scanning surface produces irregular densities or streaks on the radiograph. When foreign material such as saliva, debris, dust, or processing residues remains on the receptor or scanning surface, it alters how X-rays reach the sensor. This causes inconsistent attenuation across the image, leading to streaks or blotchy areas that don’t reflect the patient’s anatomy. This type of artifact is distinct from motion (which causes blurred anatomy), ring artifacts (resulting from detector defects or calibration issues that create circular rings), and grid artifacts (lines caused by misalignment or improper use of a grid).

Contamination on the receptor or scanning surface produces irregular densities or streaks on the radiograph. When foreign material such as saliva, debris, dust, or processing residues remains on the receptor or scanning surface, it alters how X-rays reach the sensor. This causes inconsistent attenuation across the image, leading to streaks or blotchy areas that don’t reflect the patient’s anatomy. This type of artifact is distinct from motion (which causes blurred anatomy), ring artifacts (resulting from detector defects or calibration issues that create circular rings), and grid artifacts (lines caused by misalignment or improper use of a grid).