The function of a _______ is to reduce the scattered radiation produced in the patient before it reaches the X-ray film.

The function of a grid is to absorb scattered radiation that occurs during the X-ray procedure, thereby improving the quality of the radiographic image. When an X-ray beam passes through the patient's body, some of the X-rays are scattered in different directions due to interactions with tissues and other structures. This scattered radiation can degrade the image quality by adding unwanted exposure on the X-ray film or detector.

Grids are typically made of alternating strips of lead and a material that allows primary X-rays to pass through, such as plastic or aluminum. By positioning the grid in the X-ray beam path, only the X-rays that travel in a direct line from the source to the film (or detector) can reach the image receptor, while the scattered radiation is absorbed by the lead strips. This results in a clearer image with better contrast.

The other options do not serve the same purpose: filters remove low-energy X-rays to enhance image quality and reduce patient dose, collimators limit the size and shape of the X-ray beam to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure and improve image sharpness, and Kevlar cassettes provide a lightweight, durable housing for X-ray films but don’t specifically reduce scattered radiation.