Anthropomorphic phantoms are primarily made of which materials?

• A. Silicone and rubber
• B. Hydroxyapatite and aluminum
• C. Plastic and glass
• D. Concrete and metal

Answer: (B)

Anthropomorphic phantoms are primarily made of hydroxyapatite and aluminum because these materials are selected to closely mimic human bone density and composition. Hydroxyapatite is a naturally occurring mineral form of calcium apatite and is a primary component of bone, allowing for realistic simulations of bone density in imaging techniques. Aluminum, on the other hand, serves as a substitute for softer tissues, providing a basis for simulating the varying attenuation characteristics of such tissues in bone densitometry studies.

This combination of hydroxyapatite and aluminum ensures that the phantoms provide accurate calibration and quality control for bone densitometry equipment, as they can reflect the X-ray attenuation properties of actual bone compared to soft tissue. This makes them invaluable in research and clinical settings when assessing bone mineral density and ensuring the precision of bone density measurements.