What does the glandular dose in mammography measure?

The glandular dose in mammography specifically measures the absorbed dose at the tissue level, particularly in the glandular tissues of the breast. This is crucial for assessing the potential risk associated with radiation exposure during mammographic examinations.

Mammography primarily targets glandular tissues, which are the cells that could potentially develop into breast cancer. By quantifying the absorbed dose at this level, healthcare professionals can evaluate how much radiation the sensitive glandular tissues are receiving during the imaging process, which is vital for ensuring patient safety and effective risk management in screening practices.

Understanding the glandular dose helps medical practitioners balance the benefits of early breast cancer detection with the risks of radiation exposure. While other doses or exposures might be considered in different contexts (such as skin level exposure or total exposure to the breast), the glandular dose is specifically related to the tissue that the imaging aims to evaluate and protect.