Grids in mammography are used to control which two imaging factors?

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Grids are designed to remove scatter radiation before it reaches the detector. Scatter adds a hazy, uniform background that lowers image contrast, making tissue differences harder to see. By absorbing much of the scattered photons, the grid boosts the remaining image contrast, helping to distinguish structures more clearly. It’s not about changing how sharp the image is (resolution) or how bright it looks on the detector; brightness comes from the overall exposure, while resolution is influenced by factors like focal spot and detector sampling. Keep in mind that because the grid absorbs some primary photons too, technique often needs to be increased to maintain density, which can raise the patient dose. So, grids primarily control scatter and contrast.