How does increasing window width affect the displayed image?

Increasing the window width effectively decreases the contrast of the displayed image. Window width refers to the range of grayscale values utilized in the image display. When the window width is expanded, a larger range of density values is mapped to the same range of display values. This results in more grays being displayed rather than pure blacks or whites. Consequently, the image appears less distinct, and features may blend together due to the reduced contrast between adjacent pixel values. Thus, understanding the relationship between window width and contrast is crucial in the context of image evaluation, as it directly influences the visibility of anatomical structures and subtle details in medical imaging.