Computed Tomography Technologist Practice Exam 2025 - Free CT Technologist Practice Questions and Study Guide

Question: 1 / 615

What characterizes a cupping artifact in CT imaging?

Light bands surrounding the entire image

When the periphery of the image is lighter with dark bands

A cupping artifact in CT imaging is characterized by the periphery of the image appearing lighter with dark bands. This specific distortion occurs due to the way that the CT scanner processes image data, particularly in relation to variations in attenuation of different tissues and materials being scanned. When higher density materials, such as metal or dense bone, are present in the scanned area, they can cause beam hardening effects, which alter the computed radiological density in a way that results in lighter outer edges and dark areas in the center. This pattern is visually distinctive and helps in identifying the cupping artifact compared to other potential artifacts that might appear in CT imaging.

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When only the center of the image is distorted

Light streaks appearing randomly on the image

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