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The Radiographic Image
Image Magnification

Course Author(s): Hassem Geha, DDS, MDS, Diplomate of the ABOMR

Image Magnification

It refers to the proportional increase in the dimensions of a radiographed object relative to the actual dimensions of that object and depends on the following factors:

  1. Increasing object to film distance only will result in an increase in magnification of the radiographic image. Decreasing object to film distance only will result in a decrease in magnification of the radiographic image (Figure 8).2,4,7,8
Figure 8.
Comparison of magnification
Comparison of magnification when the object to film distance changes. A short distance (A) shows less magnification than a long distance (B).
  1. Increasing source to object distance only will result in a decrease in magnification of the radiographic image. Decreasing source to object distance only will result in an increase in magnification of the radiographic image (Figure 9).2,4,7,8
Figure 9.
Comparison of magnification
Comparison of magnification when the source to object distance changes. A short distance (A) shows more magnification than a long distance (B).
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