Using the anode heel effect for extremity radiography.

The profession's literature contains numerous references to the variations in x-ray intensity along the cathode-anode axis of the x-ray tube. The significance of this gradient in intensity when x-raying extremities is neither recognized nor routinely used by radiographers. This study documents the significance of the anode heel effect for balancing densities of distal and proximal joints during long bone extremity radiography.