In imaging terminology, what is the smallest addressable element of the digital image produced by the detector array?

• A. Pixels
• B. Voxels
• C. Dexels
• D. DELs

Answer: (A)

Pixels are the smallest addressable units of a digital radiographic image. A detector array is made up of many sensing elements, and each element captures light or x-ray signal that becomes one pixel in the final image. Each pixel holds a brightness value corresponding to the sampled exposure at its location, and collectively they form the 2D image shown on a display.

Voxels are the analogous 3D units used in volumetric imaging like CT, so they aren’t the fundamental element for a 2D detector-based image. Dexels and DELs are not standard terms for the digital image itself; they may refer to physical detector elements in some contexts, but the image’s smallest addressable element is the pixel.