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Dental Radiology Glossary

105 terms total — 24 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026

Stafne Bone Cavity

Advanced Technical IVT

A developmental bone concavity on the lingual surface of the posterior mandible caused by a submandibular salivary gland inclusion, presenting radiographically as a well-defined, corticated, unilocular radiolucency below the mandibular canal.

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Incisive Canal

Intermediate Technical IVT

A bony channel in the anterior maxilla that transmits the nasopalatine nerve and vessels, appearing as a well-defined ra...

Technical Term Full entry →

Inferior Dental Nerve

Intermediate Technical IVT

The inferior alveolar nerve within the mandibular canal, whose radiographic course and proximity to tooth roots and surg...

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IRMER

Professional Formal IVT

Abbreviation for the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations, the UK legal framework governing the justificati...

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Justification (Radiation)

Intermediate Formal IVT

The principle that a radiographic examination should only be performed when the expected clinical benefit to the patient...

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kVp

Intermediate Technical IVT

Kilovolt peak; the maximum electrical potential difference applied across an X-ray tube, determining the penetrating pow...

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Lamina Dura

Advanced Technical IVT

The thin, dense layer of cortical bone lining the tooth socket (alveolus), which appears as a continuous white line on p...

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Lead Apron

Basic Technical

A protective garment lined with lead or lead-equivalent material draped over a patient's torso and lap to shield radiose...

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mA (Milliamperage)

Intermediate Technical IVT

A radiographic exposure parameter expressing the number of electrons produced per second by the X-ray tube, directly con...

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Mach Band Effect

Advanced Technical IVT

A visual perception phenomenon in which the human visual system perceives an apparent radiolucent or radiopaque line at...

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Mandibular Canal

Intermediate Technical IVT

The bony channel running through the mandible that houses the inferior alveolar nerve and vessels, depicted radiographic...

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Maxillary Sinus

Basic Technical IVT

The largest of the paranasal air sinuses, located within the maxilla bilaterally, visible as a radiolucent air-filled ca...

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Mental Foramen

Intermediate Technical IVT

The opening on the anterolateral surface of the mandible through which the mental nerve and vessels exit, appearing as a...

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Multilocular

Intermediate Technical IVT

Describing a radiographic lesion that contains multiple compartments divided by internal bony septa, giving a soap-bubbl...

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Nasopalatine Duct Cyst

Advanced Technical IVT

The most common non-odontogenic developmental cyst of the oral cavity, arising from remnants of the nasopalatine duct wi...

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Nutrient Canal

Intermediate Technical IVT

A fine radiolucent line visible on periapical or panoramic radiographs representing a small vascular or neural channel w...

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Occlusal Radiograph

Basic Technical IVT

An intraoral radiographic projection in which a large film or sensor is placed on the occlusal plane, providing a broad...

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Odontogenic

Intermediate Technical IVT

Originating from tooth-forming tissues; used to describe lesions, tumours, or cysts that derive from the epithelial or m...

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Odontogenic Keratocyst

Advanced Technical IVT

An aggressive developmental odontogenic cyst characterised radiographically by a well-defined, often multilocular or sca...

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OPG

Basic Semi-formal IVT

Abbreviation for orthopantomogram; a panoramic extraoral dental radiograph showing the entire dentition and supporting s...

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Optimisation (Radiation)

Intermediate Formal IVT

The principle of keeping radiation doses to patients and staff as low as reasonably practicable while maintaining diagno...

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Orthopantomogram

Advanced Technical IVT

A panoramic extraoral radiograph that produces a single, flat image of the entire dentition, jaws, temporomandibular joi...

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Panoramic Ghosting

Intermediate Technical IVT

A specific artefact in panoramic (OPG) radiography in which a dense structure on one side of the patient casts a blurred...

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Panoramic Radiograph

Basic Semi-formal IVT

A single, wide-field extraoral radiograph that captures both dental arches and associated maxillofacial structures in on...

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Paralleling Technique

Intermediate Technical IVT

An intraoral radiographic method in which the film or sensor is placed parallel to the long axis of the tooth and the X-...

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