After the x-rays are exposed to the patient, what is the radiation exiting the patient called?

The term used for the radiation that exits the patient after the x-rays have been exposed is remnant radiation. This radiation represents the x-rays that have not been absorbed by the patient's tissues and have instead passed through, carrying information that can be detected on a radiographic image.

Remnant radiation consists of both the primary beam that directly passes through the body and any scattered radiation that occurs as x-rays interact with the tissues. The purpose of capturing this remnant radiation is to produce a diagnostic image that reflects the internal structure of the patient. It is important in the context of radiography because it contributes crucial information necessary for accurate diagnosis.

While exit radiation might seem like a plausible term, it is less commonly used in the context of imaging. Scattered radiation refers specifically to x-rays that have been deflected from their original path, which may not contribute effectively to the quality of the image. Attenuated radiation would refer to x-rays that have lost energy due to absorption or scattering within the patient, but this does not specifically describe the radiation that emerges from the patient. Thus, remnant radiation is the most accurate term in this context.