What is the PRIMARY goal of compression in mammography?

The primary goal of compression in mammography is to allow uniform penetration of structures within the breast. When compression is applied, the breast tissue is flattened, which reduces its thickness. This promotes even distribution of the x-ray beam across the breast, ensuring that all areas receive the same exposure. Uniform penetration is crucial for obtaining high-quality images that accurately represent different tissue densities, helping to distinguish between normal and abnormal findings.

In addition to allowing uniform penetration, compression also minimizes overlapping structures that can obscure lesions, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy. While compression does help to avoid breast motion and can lead to enhanced image contrast, those are secondary benefits. Reducing radiation exposure is also an important factor in mammography; however, it is achieved primarily through optimizing the image acquisition and not the primary focus of compression itself. The correct answer underscores the importance of achieving clear and consistent imaging for thorough evaluation.