What does mAs stand for in X-ray exposure settings?

mAs stands for milliamperes-seconds, which is a crucial parameter in X-ray exposure settings. This measurement combines the current flowing through the X-ray tube (measured in milliamperes) with the duration of exposure (measured in seconds). The product of these two values determines the total amount of exposure delivered to the imaging receptor.

In practical terms, a higher mAs value results in a greater number of X-ray photons being produced, which increases the overall exposure on the film or digital detector. Consequently, this typically leads to better image quality, with improved contrast and reduced noise. Understanding mAs is essential for radiographers as it helps them optimize image quality while also being mindful of patient radiation dose.

Other options like millivolt-seconds, megavolt-amps, and milligray-seconds do not accurately represent the components necessary for X-ray exposure. Millivolt-seconds is not standard terminology in X-ray settings; megavolt-amps pertains more to high-energy applications; and milligray-seconds incorrectly mixes two different concepts by referencing a unit of absorbed dose with a time measurement. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the importance of both the current and time duration related to X-ray exposure in imaging