The anode heel effect results in greater intensity toward which side of the beam?

The anode heel effect results in greater intensity toward which side of the beam?

• A. Anode side
• B. Cathode side
• C. Both sides equally
• D. Center

Answer: (B)

The phenomenon comes from how the X-ray tube is built. As photons are produced, those traveling toward the anode side have to pass through more of the anode material and are more attenuated, so fewer exit that way. Photons moving toward the cathode side encounter less material to traverse, suffer less attenuation, and exit with greater intensity. So the beam is brighter on the cathode side. In practice, this means when imaging, you place the thicker part of the anatomy toward the cathode end to help balance exposure across the image.

The phenomenon comes from how the X-ray tube is built. As photons are produced, those traveling toward the anode side have to pass through more of the anode material and are more attenuated, so fewer exit that way. Photons moving toward the cathode side encounter less material to traverse, suffer less attenuation, and exit with greater intensity. So the beam is brighter on the cathode side. In practice, this means when imaging, you place the thicker part of the anatomy toward the cathode end to help balance exposure across the image.