In regard to image quality, what does "artifacts" refer to?

Artifacts in imaging, particularly in radiography, refer to unintended distortions or marks that are present in an image, which do not originate from the subject being examined. These artifacts can manifest as unwanted faint lines, spots, or patterns that obscure the true representation of the anatomy being imaged. They can arise from various factors, including technical issues with the imaging equipment, film processing errors, or even patient movement.

Unwanted artifacts can significantly impair the diagnostic quality of an image, making it difficult for radiologists to interpret the findings accurately. Understanding and identifying these artifacts is crucial for quality control in radiographic practices, as they can lead to misdiagnosis or oversights if not recognized and accounted for.

In contrast, the other options—errors in patient positioning, variances in x-ray dosage, and changes in ambient temperature—relate to different quality control issues affecting image acquisition or interpretation but do not specifically define artifacts. These aspects are more about procedural correctness or environmental control rather than the undesired visual elements that artifacts represent in the final images.