View source for Physics:Lead apron

[[File:Lead Apron worn by Dr Danny Sands.jpg|thumb|A rubber coated lead apron protects organs from exposure to x-rays.]]
A '''lead apron''' or '''leaded apron''' is a type of [[Social:Personal protective equipment|protective clothing]] that acts as a radiation shield.  It is  constructed of a thin rubber exterior and an interior of [[Chemistry:Lead|lead]] in the shape of a hospital apron.  The purpose of the lead apron is to reduce exposure of a hospital patient to [[Physics:X-ray|x-ray]]s to vital organs that are potentially exposed to [[Physics:Ionizing radiation|ionizing radiation]] during [[Medicine:Medical imaging|medical imaging]] that uses x-rays ([[Physics:Radiography|radiography]], fluoroscopy, computed tomography).

==Specific anatomic regions==
Protection of the reproductive organs with a lead apron is considered important because [[Biology:DNA|DNA]] changes to [[Biology:Sperm|sperm]] or [[Biology:Egg|egg]] cells of the patient may pass on genetic defects to the offspring of the patient, causing serious and unnecessary hardship for child and parents.

The [[Biology:Thyroid|thyroid]] gland is especially vulnerable to x-ray exposure. Care should be taken to place a lead apron over
the thyroid gland before taking [[Medicine:Dentistry|dental]] radiographs.<ref>A Patient's Guide to Medical Imaging By Ronald Eisenberg, JD, MD, FACR, Alexander Margulis, MD</ref><ref>Current oral and maxillofacial imaging,Thomas F. Razmus, Gail F. Williamson, Page 107</ref> Aprons used for dental imaging should include thyroid collars.

==See also==
*Radiation shielding
*[[Medicine:Instruments used in radiology|Instruments used in radiology]]
*[[Physics:Lead shielding|Lead shielding]]
*Birth defects

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Radiation protection|state=uncollapsed}}
[[Category:Protective gear]]
[[Category:Radiation protection]]

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