quality /kwol″itē/ [L, qualis] , 1. a descriptive specification of the penetrating nature of an x-ray beam. It is influenced by kilovoltage and filtration: a higher kilovoltage produces more penetration, and filtration removes selected wavelengths and “hardens” the beam. 2. (in speech therapy) refers to the nature of phonation produced by the vocal folds. Disorders of voice quality include hoarseness, harshness, breathiness, and glottal fry.
