What is the term for an image that has been exposed on the image receptor but has not yet been processed?

The term for an image that has been exposed on the image receptor but has not yet been processed is known as the latent image. This refers to the initial stage of image creation in radiography, where the exposure to radiation causes a change in the image receptor, but this change is not visible until the image receptor undergoes processing.

During processing, various steps are taken to convert the latent image into a visible and diagnosable final image. Understanding the concept of latent images is crucial in radiography, as it highlights the importance of processing in achieving clear and usable images. This term distinguishes the invisible state of the image immediately after exposure from the final product that can be evaluated for diagnostic purposes.