Final answer:
In CT scanning, a kernel is a post-processing filter applied to the image data to improve image quality and enhance certain features within the scan.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of a computed tomography (CT) scan, the term kernel refers to a post-processing filter applied to image data. Specifically, the kernel is used during the reconstruction process to enhance the image by highlighting certain textures or edges, thereby improving the visibility of different types of tissues or structures within the body. CT scanners utilize complex computer image processing, which involves applying a kernel to the raw data, in order to produce highly-detailed images that can be further analyzed to produce three-dimensional representations of the scanned area.