What is the purpose of collimation in radiography?

Collimation in radiography plays a crucial role in improving the safety and quality of imaging by limiting the size of the x-ray beam. This practice reduces the amount of unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation for the patient, as only the area of interest is irradiated. By confining the beam to the specific region being examined, collimation helps to minimize scattering of radiation to surrounding tissue, lowering the overall dose the patient receives.

Furthermore, collimation also aids in enhancing image quality by preventing the inclusion of unwanted anatomical structures in the captured image, thus providing a clearer and more focused representation of the area of interest. This not only protects the patient's health but also assists radiologists and physicians in making accurate diagnoses based on high-quality imaging.