Radiology Practice Test

The correct answer is indeed a situation known as a cone cut. This phenomenon occurs when the central ray of the x-ray beam is not properly aligned with the film or detector. As a result, only a portion of the film is exposed to the x-ray beam, leading to a distinct band of unexposed or poorly exposed area in the image, resembling a "cone cut" shape. If the central ray is misaligned, it can cause the imaging process to fail in capturing the entire area of interest, leading to diagnostic difficulties. Proper alignment of the central ray is essential to ensure complete and accurate imaging for adequate assessment.