Final answer:
Compression of the breast during mammographic imaging improves the image quality by reducing geometric blurring, decreasing scattered radiation, and reducing patient motion.
Step-by-step explanation:
During mammographic imaging, compression of the breast improves the technical quality of the image for several reasons.
- Geometric blurring is decreased: Compression helps to reduce motion and smearing of the breast tissue, resulting in sharper and more detailed images.
- Less scattered radiation is produced: Compression helps to minimize scattered radiation, which can interfere with image clarity and reduce diagnostic accuracy.
- Patient motion is reduced: By immobilizing the breast, compression reduces the chances of patient motion during the imaging process, ensuring that the image obtained is clear and accurate.