distortion /distôr″shən/ [L, dis + torquere, to twist] , 1. (in psychology) the process of shifting experience in one’s perceptions. Distortions represent personal constructs of truth, validity, and right and wrong. The distortions of patients tend to influence their views of the world and themselves, as by altering a negative perception to one more favorable. 2. (in radiology) radiographic image artifacts that may be caused by variations in the size and shape or position of the object. Thick or curved objects cause greater distortion than thin, flat objects because of unequal magnification. A shorter source-to-object distance results in greater image distortion, called magnification. Distortion also occurs when a three-dimensional structure is projected onto a two-dimensional structure.
