What happens to the intensity of the x-ray beam as it passes through the patient tissues?

As the x-ray beam passes through patient tissues, its intensity decreases. This reduction in intensity occurs due to the attenuation of the x-rays, which results from several factors such as absorption and scattering. Different types of tissues in the body have varying densities and atomic compositions, which influence how much x-ray energy is absorbed or scattered. For instance, denser tissues, like bone, absorb more x-rays compared to less dense tissues, like muscle or fat, leading to a greater decrease in intensity as the beam encounters these tissues.

As the x-ray beam penetrates deeper into the body, its exposure diminishes, which is why we see varying levels of contrast and detail in radiographic images. Understanding this principle helps radiographers adjust their techniques to optimize image quality while minimizing patient exposure.