What is the typical appearance of patient motion on a radiograph?

The typical appearance of patient motion on a radiograph is characterized by blurring of anatomy. When a patient moves during the exposure of an image, the result is a lack of sharpness and clarity in the details of the anatomical structures being captured. This occurs because the radiographic film or detector is not able to accurately record the position of the moving structures, leading to a smeared or indistinct image.

In radiographic practice, maintaining patient stillness is critical for achieving high-quality images that can be used for accurate diagnosis and evaluation. When motion occurs, the radiographer may need to adjust imaging techniques or repeat the procedure to obtain a clearer representation. Blurring is a common artifact in radiography and is addressed through methods such as reducing exposure time or utilizing stabilization techniques for the patient.

The other options do not accurately reflect the effects of patient motion; clarity of anatomy would imply a well-defined image which is not the case with motion, improved image contrast is typically related to other factors like imaging settings rather than motion, and discoloration of anatomy does not generally result from motion but may arise from other issues like technical errors or processing problems.