ARRT Mammography key terms

The process of explaining a mammographic procedure, its benefits, risks, and alternatives so the patient can voluntarily agree to proceed. It supports autonomy and should be documented according to facility policy.

A patient's familiarity with how her breasts normally look and feel, enabling her to notice changes and report them promptly. It is taught as part of breast health education rather than as a formal screening test.

Written information given to patients whose mammograms show mostly dense fibroglandular tissue, explaining that density can mask cancers and may warrant supplemental screening discussion with a clinician.

Screening mammography images asymptomatic patients at routine intervals, whereas diagnostic mammography evaluates a symptom, abnormal finding, or prior concern using tailored views and often immediate radiologist review.

Characteristics or exposures associated with increased likelihood of developing breast cancer, such as older age, family history, genetic variants, dense tissue, and hormonal factors. They guide screening discussions but do not by themselves diagnose disease.

Collection of information about breast, ovarian, and related cancers among first- and second-degree relatives, including ages at diagnosis. It helps identify patients who may need earlier or supplemental screening or genetic counseling.

The milk-producing glandular tissue and supporting fibrous stroma of the breast. It appears radiopaque (white) on mammograms, and greater amounts can reduce the visibility of small cancers.

Fatty tissue that surrounds and separates the glandular elements of the breast. It appears radiolucent (dark) on mammograms and makes fibroglandular structures easier to see by contrast.

Fibrous bands that run from the breast fascia to the skin and help support breast shape. Thickening or shortening by tumor can produce skin retraction or dimpling visible on examination and imaging.

A large chest-wall muscle whose mammographic shadow indicates adequate inclusion of posterior breast tissue. On the MLO view it should extend to the nipple line for a well-positioned image.

The upper-outer extension of breast tissue that projects toward the axilla. It must be included on mammographic views because cancers can arise in this region.

The crease where the lower breast meets the chest wall. On the MLO view it should be visible and open, confirming that the lower breast and posterior tissue have been included.

Small calcium deposits within breast tissue that appear as bright specks on mammograms. Their size, shape, and distribution help distinguish benign changes from suspicious findings requiring further evaluation.

A three-dimensional space-occupying breast lesion seen on at least two projections. Its shape, margins, density, and associated features help determine whether it is probably benign or suspicious.

A mammographic finding in which normal breast tissue appears pulled or spiculated without a central mass. It can be a sign of malignancy, especially when it is new or seen on only one breast.

A noninvasive breast cancer in which malignant cells are confined to the milk ducts and have not invaded surrounding tissue. It often presents as suspicious microcalcifications and is usually treated to prevent progression.

The most common breast cancer, arising in ductal cells and breaking through the duct wall into surrounding breast tissue. It typically appears as a mass or architectural distortion and can spread to lymph nodes.

A common benign breast tumor composed of fibrous and glandular tissue, often felt as a mobile, well-defined lump in younger women. On imaging it usually appears as a circumscribed oval mass.

A system that measures radiation reaching the detector and ends the exposure when a preset signal level is reached, helping produce consistent image brightness across different breast sizes.

Kilovolt peak, the maximum voltage applied across an x-ray tube, which sets the beam's penetrability and energy spectrum. Higher kVp generally lowers contrast but reduces dose and better penetrates dense breast tissue.

Milliampere-seconds, the product of tube current and exposure time, which determines the number of x-rays produced. Under AEC, the system selects mAs to achieve adequate detector signal for the breast being imaged.

The area on the x-ray tube anode where x-rays are produced. A smaller focal spot improves spatial resolution, which is important for magnification views and fine detail.

The thickness of a specified material, usually aluminum, that reduces the x-ray beam intensity by half. It measures beam quality and is part of mammographic quality control testing.

A device placed between the breast and detector that absorbs scattered radiation traveling at oblique angles. It improves contrast and detail visibility, especially in thicker or denser breasts.

The ratio of the useful image signal to background noise. Higher SNR generally means smoother images and better ability to detect low-contrast structures, especially in dense tissue.

A measure of how well an imaging system preserves spatial resolution and contrast at different detail sizes. Higher MTF values indicate sharper reproduction of fine structures such as microcalcifications.

A measure of how efficiently an imaging system converts incident x-rays into useful image signal while limiting noise. Higher DQE means better image quality at a given radiation dose.

A test object with known structures used to evaluate mammography equipment performance, such as resolution, contrast, and artifacts. Regular phantom imaging is required for quality control and accreditation.

U.S. federal legislation that sets standards for mammography facilities, including accreditation, equipment, quality control, personnel qualifications, and reporting. Compliance is required to provide mammography legally.

The estimated radiation dose absorbed by glandular breast tissue during a mammogram. It is the standard dose metric used for comparing protocols and ensuring examinations are optimized.

A quality control process that tracks and categorizes rejected or repeated mammographic images to identify causes such as positioning, technique, or equipment problems. It helps reduce unnecessary radiation and improve quality.

The mediolateral oblique projection, obtained with the image receptor angled parallel to the pectoralis muscle. It is the standard view for showing the greatest amount of breast tissue, including the axillary tail.

The craniocaudal projection, obtained with the beam directed from head to toe. It shows the breast from above and complements the MLO view in localizing lesions and evaluating medial and lateral tissue.

Controlled pressure applied to the breast during mammography to spread tissue, reduce motion, decrease scatter, and lower radiation dose. Adequate compression is essential for image quality and should be explained to the patient.

A positioning goal in which the nipple is seen along the breast contour rather than superimposed on tissue. It confirms that the nipple and anterior breast have been included on the image.

An additional mammographic technique in which the breast implant is pushed back against the chest wall while breast tissue is pulled forward and compressed, improving visualization of tissue that would otherwise be obscured.

A special view that increases the distance between the breast and detector to enlarge the image and improve detail visibility, often for evaluating microcalcifications. It uses a small focal spot and higher dose.

A digital breast imaging method that acquires multiple low-dose projection images reconstructed into thin slices, reducing tissue overlap. It improves detection and characterization of lesions compared with standard two-dimensional mammography.

A two-dimensional image generated from tomosynthesis data, intended to replace the conventional 2D acquisition. It provides a familiar overview while reducing the total radiation dose of the examination.

The Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System, a standardized lexicon and assessment scale (categories 0 through 6) used to communicate mammographic findings, likelihood of malignancy, and recommended management.