What is the term for the visible result of insufficient exposure on a digital image?

The visible result of insufficient exposure on a digital image is referred to as underexposure. When an image is underexposed, it appears overly dark, lacking the necessary brightness to adequately depict the subject. This occurs because not enough radiation reaches the digital detector, leading to a loss of detail in the shadows and preventing the proper representation of subtle features.

In digital radiography, an underexposed image may exhibit graininess or noise, and fine details are difficult to discern due to the lack of sufficient data captured during the imaging process. This is why ensuring appropriate exposure settings is critical for producing high-quality images that accurately represent the anatomical structures being imaged.

Other terms, such as overexposure, refer to images that are too bright, where excessive radiation results in loss of detail in the highlights. Quantitative analysis pertains to measuring and assessing image data through mathematical methods, while exposure compensation refers to adjustments made to the imaging settings to correct exposure levels, but these do not specifically describe the consequence of insufficient exposure.