What describes a photon that travels completely through the patient?

A photon that travels completely through the patient and does not interact with any tissues will contribute to the radiolucent areas on the image. This is because radiolucent areas appear darker on radiographs, indicating that the X-rays have passed through the tissues without being absorbed. In contrast, tissues that absorb X-rays will appear lighter, as those areas block the photons from forming an image.

When a photon travels through the patient without being absorbed or scattered, it does not contribute to the density of the image in those specific areas, resulting in the clear depiction of structures and spaces that allow the X-ray to pass through. This principle is foundational in radiographic imaging, as it helps differentiate types of tissues based on their X-ray absorption characteristics.