What defines the distance between the center of one CT section and the center of the next adjacent section?

The distance between the center of one CT section and the center of the next adjacent section is defined as the section interval. This term specifically refers to the separation between each slice being acquired during a CT scan, which is critical for determining the level of overlap between slices.

Section interval is particularly important for creating detailed three-dimensional images from a series of two-dimensional cross-sectional images, as it helps in refining the volume of tissue being imaged and affects the overall quality and resolution of the reconstructed images. A smaller section interval can enhance the ability to visualize small structures by reducing gaps between the slices, thus improving diagnostic accuracy.

While section width refers to the thickness of each individual slice, it does not address the distance between the centers of adjacent sections; therefore, it does not define the spacing. Slice thickness is similarly related to the dimension of the slices themselves rather than the distance between them. The field of view pertains to the extent of the area being imaged and does not indicate any spatial relationship between the slices. Each of these terms has its specific definition within CT imaging, but section interval is the one that specifically addresses the positioning between adjacent slices.