a method and system for producing tomosynthesis images of a breast specimen in a cabinet x - ray system . an x - ray source delivers x - rays through a specimen of excised tissue and forms an image at a digital x - ray detector . multiple x - ray images are taken as the x - ray source moves relative to the stationary breast specimen . in the preferred embodiment , the x - ray source moves in a range from about 350 ° to and including about 10 °. the source may travel substantially along a path that generally defines an arc , or linearly , while the detector remains stationary throughout and the source remains substantially equidistant from the specimen platform . the set of x - ray image data taken at the different points are combined to form a tomosynthesis image that can be viewed in different formats , alone or as an adjunct to conventional specimen radiography .