What is the term for generalized unwanted exposure on an X-ray image?

The term for generalized unwanted exposure on an X-ray image is referred to as "fog." In radiology, fog describes the presence of an overall cloudy or hazy appearance on an X-ray film that obscures the details of the image. This can be caused by various factors, such as improper handling of the film, contamination, or excessive scatter radiation. Fog reduces the diagnostic quality of the X-ray because it reduces contrast and makes it difficult to distinguish anatomical structures, leading to a potential misinterpretation of the image.

Noise, while related to unwanted signals and can detract from image quality, refers more to random variations in the pixel values that can mislead the diagnosis. Shadowing pertains to localized areas that may block the X-ray beam and cause shadows or darker areas, which is not generalized unwanted exposure. Blur refers to a loss of sharpness in an X-ray image, often due to motion or improper focus, but does not encompass the broad issue of unwanted exposure like fog does.