What is the purpose of collimation in radiographic procedures?

Collimation serves a crucial role in radiographic procedures by controlling the size of the X-ray beam that is emitted from the X-ray tube. This function is vital for minimizing the amount of unnecessary radiation exposure to both the patient and the surrounding areas. By limiting the beam to the area of interest, collimation focuses the radiation on the specific anatomy being imaged and prevents unnecessary exposure to adjacent tissues, thereby enhancing patient safety.

Additionally, collimation helps improve image quality by reducing scatter radiation, which can contribute to noise on the image. This focused approach leads to clearer images by ensuring that only the relevant tissues are exposed to the X-ray beams. The practice of collimation is a fundamental aspect of imaging protocols and is essential for maintaining high standards of patient care in radiology.