What is the purpose of compression during mammography?

The purpose of compression during mammography is to reduce the thickness of breast tissue for clearer imaging. When the breast is compressed, the tissue is spread out more evenly, which helps to minimize overlapping structures. This is crucial for detecting abnormalities, as it allows radiologists to obtain better contrast and detail in the images. Compression also reduces the overall amount of tissue that the X-ray needs to penetrate, which can potentially lower radiation exposure to the patient without compromising image quality. Additionally, compression can help to immobilize the breast, thereby reducing motion artifacts that could obscure important details in the images.