What is the primary function of the filter in mammography?

The primary function of the filter in mammography is to remove photon energies that fall outside the desired range for effective breast imaging. This is crucial because not all x-ray photons contribute equally to the quality of the image. By selectively filtering out lower-energy photons, which are more likely to be absorbed by the breast tissue and not contribute useful information, the filter improves the overall quality of the diagnostic image.

Additionally, by eliminating these lower-energy photons, the filter helps ensure that the higher-energy photons, which are essential for penetrating breast tissue and providing a clearer image, are more prevalent in the beam that reaches the detector. This selective filtration process not only enhances image quality but also contributes to more accurate diagnoses, highlighting the importance of having the correct filtering in place for optimal visualization of breast abnormalities.