Radiation Protection in Mammography: Recommended Safety Procedures for the Use of Mammographic X-Ray Equipment - Safety Code 33

Appendix VI

Glossary of Terminology

The terminology used in this document is based on the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Publication 788 titled: "Medical Radiology, Terminology" and published in 1984. The use of this terminology will allow a greater standardisation between present and future Safety Codes, national and international publications, and the Radiation Emitting Devices Act and Regulations. However, some of the new terms may not be familiar to the reader and are introduced in the present appendix.

Table 11: Terminology

Terms in this Safety Code	Commonly Used Terms
Beam Limiting device	Collimator
Focal spot	Focus
Irradiation switch	Exposure switch
Irradiation time	Exposure time (to radiation)
Irradiation	Exposure (of an object)
Loading factors	Technique factor
Loading time	Exposure time (to electrical supply)
Loading	Exposure (of an X-ray tube)
Orientation factor	Use factor
Surface dose	Entrance dose