What is the primary function of filtration in radiography?

The primary function of filtration in radiography is to remove unnecessary low-energy photons from the X-ray beam. These low-energy photons are less likely to contribute to image formation and can increase the radiation dose to the patient without providing diagnostic benefit. By filtering out these low-energy components, the quality of the resultant image is improved because the remaining higher-energy photons are more effective at penetrating tissues and producing a clear image. This also reduces the overall radiation exposure to the patient, making the procedure safer.

Other functions related to X-ray imaging, like enhancing image resolution or enlarging the X-ray field size, do not relate directly to the role of filtration. Instead, filtration focuses specifically on improving the quality of the X-ray beam and ensuring that the most diagnostic photons reach the detector while minimizing patient exposure to ineffective radiation.