The term used for shielding integrated into the x-ray tube assembly is:

• A. Added filtration
• B. Inherent shielding
• C. Collimator
• D. Grid

Answer: (B)

Inherent shielding is shielding that is built into the x-ray tube assembly itself, such as the tube housing and surrounding enclosure, designed to reduce leakage radiation escaping from the tube. This protection is fixed and part of the tube’s design, providing a baseline level of safety regardless of other accessories or settings. It differs from added filtration, which is material placed in the beam path to harden the beam and reduce patient dose but sits outside the tube. A collimator shapes the primary beam to limit exposure to the area of interest, not to shield leakage radiation. A grid sits between the patient and the receptor to reduce scatter, also not part of the tube’s internal shielding.