In radiation safety, why is collimation important?

Collimation is essential in radiation safety because it helps to reduce the volume of tissue that is irradiated during imaging procedures. By narrowing the x-ray beam to the area of interest, collimation minimizes unnecessary exposure to surrounding tissues and organs. This reduction in exposure not only decreases the overall radiation dose received by the patient but also lowers the risk of potential radiation-induced damage to healthy tissue.

Furthermore, effective collimation enhances the quality of diagnostic images by focusing the x-ray beam, which can lead to better image sharpness and contrast. However, while collimation contributes to improving image quality, its primary purpose in the context of radiation safety is to protect the patient from excessive radiation exposure.