What is the primary effect of using automatic exposure control (AEC) on exposure time for hyposthenic patients?

Using automatic exposure control (AEC) significantly impacts the exposure time when examining hyposthenic patients. AEC systems are designed to automatically adjust the exposure settings based on the patient's body habitus and the amount of radiation required to produce a diagnostic-quality image.

In the case of hyposthenic patients, who typically have less muscle mass and a narrower body frame, the AEC can adapt to this anatomical variation by shortening the exposure time. This is important because a shorter exposure time can reduce the risk of motion blur, which is particularly critical for patients who may be unable to remain completely still.

By effectively regulating the exposure time, AEC ensures that an appropriate amount of radiation reaches the imaging receptor without overexposing the patient, leading to improved image quality while minimizing the dose. This feature of AEC is especially advantageous for hyposthenic patients, as it allows for efficient imaging that accommodates their unique body structure.

In contrast, decreases in spatial resolution or increases in contrast resolution are aspects more related to the imaging system's capabilities and settings but do not directly tie to the primary effect of AEC on exposure time. Enhanced receptor exposure could be a byproduct of optimized exposure settings, but it is not the direct focus of AEC