What is the primary function of a CT detector?

The primary function of a CT detector is to measure the transmitted X-rays and convert them into electronic signals. This process is crucial because it allows the system to create detailed images of the internal structures of the body. When an X-ray beam passes through the body, different tissues absorb varying amounts of X-rays, which are then detected by the CT detector. The detector captures the intensity of the X-rays that emerge from the patient and transforms this information into electronic signals. These signals are subsequently processed to construct cross-sectional images, or "slices," that represent the internal anatomy.

Understanding the operation of the CT detector is fundamental to grasping how CT imaging works, as it directly affects image quality and diagnostic capabilities. Other components of a CT system, such as the X-ray tube or the image reconstruction algorithms, also play important roles, but it is the detector that performs the critical function of converting the incoming X-ray data into a form usable for imaging analysis.