Filtration absorbs the longer, less penetrating rays, which would otherwise be

absorbed by the patient's skin or scattered and absorbed by both patient and operator. It also i reases the penetrating qualities of the beam (bY' absorbing the
longer.. wave length x-rays).
There are two types of filtration:
1. Inherent filtration - is caused by absorption of the beam by the glass window of the x-ray
tube, the oil surrounding the tube, the alll miRum filter iR the x ray head aAd IAe "Iasti c canfl....
2. Added filtration - is obtained by placing thin sheets of aluminum in the cone to filter the useful beam further.
"'lotal filtration is the sum of inherent and added filtration. Recommended tp tal: equivalent
of 0.5 mm (below 50 kVp) and 2.5 mm (over 70 kVpJ of alumiiiU01.
Notes:
1. Longer wavelength x-rays (those produced at lower kilovo/tages) are easily absorbed.
2. Shorter wavelength x-rays (produced at higher kilovoltages) penetrate objects more readily (they form image on the film).
Remember: The x-ray beam is composed 01 rays of different wavelengths and penetrating power
(the term used for this is polychromatic) because the potential across the tube changes constantly as the voltage varies.