latitude (redirected from latitudinal)

latitude

Etymology: L, latitudio, breadth

the ability of an x-ray imaging system to produce acceptable images over a range of exposures. If a system has wide latitude, it is possible to image parts of the body that vary in thickness or density with only one exposure. A system of lesser latitude would require a lower exposure over the thin section and a greater exposure where the absorption was greater.

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latitude (lat´itood),

n the range between the minimum and maximum film exposures to radiation that yields images of structures of which photographic density differences are discernible under normal viewing conditions. Latitude mainly varies directly with kilovoltage and inversely with contrast. See also contrast.