ADAA X-Ray Practice Exam

Cone-cut is a radiographic error that happens when the X-ray beam does not cover the entire receptor because the beam and receptor aren’t properly aligned. When the central ray isn’t aimed to center on the receptor, part of the receptor remains unexposed, leaving a blank area at the edge of the image. This appearance—an unexposed border along the margin—directly reflects a misalignment between the beam and the receptor, not issues with contamination, patient movement, or processing. To prevent cone-cut, align the receptor with the beam using a positioning device and ensure the X-ray beam is centered on the receptor for every exposure.