What is the primary purpose of collimation in radiography?

The primary purpose of collimation in radiography is to limit exposure to the patient. Collimation involves the use of lead or other materials to narrow the beam of radiation to the area of interest. This focusing of the x-ray beam not only minimizes unnecessary radiation exposure to surrounding tissues but also helps to improve the overall quality of the radiographic image. By reducing the field size, collimation decreases the amount of scatter radiation, which can contribute to image noise and reduce diagnostic quality. This practice is an important safety measure, as minimizing patient exposure is a key principle of radiologic safety and patient care.

While collimation can indirectly influence the quality of the resulting images and enhance patient comfort by targeting specific areas, its primary function is explicitly aimed at limiting radiological exposure during imaging procedures.