What is considered the greatest source of scatter radiation in diagnostic imaging?

In the context of diagnostic imaging, the patient is considered the greatest source of scatter radiation. When X-rays are directed toward the patient for imaging, a portion of the radiation interacts with the body's tissues and is scattered in various directions rather than passing straight through to the image receptor. This scattering occurs because different tissues have varying densities and compositions, resulting in different levels of attenuation and scattering of the X-ray beams.

Understanding this helps healthcare professionals take precautions to minimize exposure to scatter radiation for both the patient and other individuals in the vicinity. Although other factors, such as the imaging equipment or the environment, can contribute to radiation exposure, the patient remains the primary source of scatter radiation during a diagnostic imaging procedure.