An arthrography is a radiographic examination of a joint (such as the knee, shoulder, hip, elbow or wrist) that requires an injection of a contrast medium into the joint space.
For an opaque x-ray arthrography a water-soluble iodinated contrast agent is injected and a series of fluoroscopic controlled images is produced. Magnetic resonance arthrography combines the arthrogram with MRI. A small quantity of gadolinium contrast agent is added to the injection into the joint space. The traditional radiographic images are followed by an MRI of the extremities. A non-invasive possibility is an indirect MR arthrography, which doesn't require the injection into the joint. The dye is given prior to the imaging procedure.
The contrast fluid produces a bright signal and allows evaluation of small defects of the joint capsule, assessment of articular surface and labral cartilage, and in case of an indirect arthrogram also of the surrounding soft tissue. If a gaseous medium is used, this exam is called pneumoarthrography and a combination with liquid contrast is used in double-contrast arthrography.
MR arthrography is often used to evaluate hip and acetabular labrum, shoulder rotator cuff and glenoid labrum (see Shoulder MRI), and less often in wrist and knee MRI studies. Also combinations of CT and nuclear medical techniques with arthrography are available.

The bisecting angle technique (or bisect angle geometry) is used for radiographic examinations of the teeth. The central axis of the x-ray beam is positioned at right angles to a plane determined by bisecting the angle formed by the long axis of the teeth being imaged, and the plane in which the image receptor is positioned behind the teeth.

See also Bitewing Radiograph.

Filter grids are used to reduce scattered noise and increase contrast in x-ray images. Primary radiation passing through an object gets scattered caused by the various density of different materials. Scatter radiation produces noise (radiographic fog) on the film or detector, which degrades the diagnostic quality. Anti-scatter grids act as filters between patient and film (or receiver) to remove scatter radiation. The use of a grid is recommended with body parts thicker than 10 cm and kVp values about 60 kV.
X-ray filter grids are available with focused or parallel strips. These two types are produced with linear or crossed grid configurations. The septa of filter grids consist of high radiation absorbing materials (e.g. lead) separated by permeable parts. During radiation exposure, movement of the grid blurs a projection of the septa.
If the image receptor and x-ray tube (with the focal spot) are in a fixed position relative to one another the grid is automatically aligned. In mobile radiography, the position of the focal spot and the image receptor is variable. Additionally cassettes incorporating anti-scatter grids are also available.

An imaging plate is used in computed radiography (CR) instead of a conventional film cassette.
The imaging plate is coated with photostimulable phosphors. The phosphor layer is doped with special substances to alter the crystalline structure and physical properties. After radiation, the enhanced phosphor material absorbs and stores x-ray energy in gaps of the crystal structure, building a latent image.
Usually, the storage phosphors are stimulated with a low-energy laser to release visible light at each point of x-ray absorption. To read-out the image, the plate is inserted into a computed radiography scanner. The scanning laser beam causes the electrons to relax to lower energy levels, emitting light that is captured by a photo-multiplier tube and converted into an electrical signal. The electronic signal is then converted to digital data and can be displayed on laser-printed films, workstations, transmitted to remote systems, and stored digitally.
The CR units automatically erase the image plate after the complete scan. Phosphor imaging plates, like film, are stored in cassette format and can be re-used very often if they are handled carefully. Existing conventional x-ray equipment, from generators to x-ray tubes and examination systems, can be used with imaging plates.

An x-ray film is a photographic film used to generate a visual x-ray image. X-ray films are rarely used as the only radiation detector. Commonly they are used in conjunction with intensifying screens placed in the film cassette, because high resolution films have a poor sensitivity to x-rays. At direct film exposure, only a small amount of x-ray photons will be absorbed and react with the film emulsion. An intensifying screen contains scintillating materials to convert x-ray radiation into light or lows electromagnetic energies.
X-ray films provide very good spatial resolution and contrast, but need long exposures times and chemical processing.

See also Conventional Radiography and Digital Radiography.