What adjustment is critical for determining the thickness of slices in CT imaging?

Collimation is a fundamental factor in determining the thickness of slices in CT imaging. By adjusting the collimator, which shapes the x-ray beam, technologists can control the width of the slice being acquired. This is essential because the collimation setting directly influences the amount of tissue included in each slice, and thus affects the spatial resolution and the quality of the images produced.

When the collimator is adjusted to produce thinner slices, it allows for better visualization of small structures and details within the tissue, improving diagnostic accuracy and enhancing the capability to differentiate between adjacent tissues. Conversely, thicker slices may encompass more anatomy but can compromise the detail and clarity of the image.

Calibration, enhancement, and selection, while important in different contexts of CT imaging, do not directly govern the physical slice thickness in the way collimation does. Calibration pertains more to the confirmation of system accuracy and alignment, enhancement refers to techniques used to improve image quality post-acquisition, and selection might involve choosing specific images or protocols rather than determining slice thickness.