Scattering refers to the reflection of radiation, electromagnetic or particulate, when interacting with matter. Scattering results in a loss of energy of the radiation.
Backscattering refers to a reflection of radiation in a direction generally greater than 90 degrees to that of the incident radiation.

Compton scattering is the deflection of gamma- and x-ray photons by electrons.

See also Compton Continuum, Compton Effect, Air Kerma, Filter Grid, Focused Grid, Grid Efficiency, and Compton Arthur Holly.

The Compton effect describes the interaction of x-ray photons with electrons, in Compton's experiment in 1922/23 the electrons of graphite atoms. The x-ray photons scatter (Compton scattering) off the electrons in different directions. The remaining energy (lower frequency) of the scattered x-ray photons depends on the scattering angle. From an energy based point of view, these 'new or old' photons are a part of the original energy, represented by the incident x-ray photon before the interaction. The photons loss of energy (reduced frequency) is gained by an electron. Depending on this energy the electron could leave the atom. Depending on the remaining energy of the photon the interaction can repeat with a more to more decreasing energy level in the form of further Compton Scattering or by photo-electric absorption. Usually the Compton effect involves atom-bound electrons.
The Compton effect is responsible for most scattering effects in radiography.

The attenuation of radiation is a decrease in intensity as a result of interactions by transmission through matter. X-ray beams attenuate due to photon absorption by the material or scattering. Both effects are energy dependent. The probability of absorption or scattering is a function of the photon energy. The photoelectric absorption is much more energy dependent than the Compton scatter effect.

See also Attenuation Correction, Linear Energy Transfer, Broad Beam and Ion Beam.

The continuum of energies transferred to electrons by Compton scattering is called the Compton continuum. It reflects also the maximum energy which a photon can give to the Compton electron depending on a maximum scattering angle and it's initially energy.

See also Compton Effect.