Imaging Techniques Terminology

Cineradiography

making of a motion picture of successive images appearing on a fluoroscopic screen

Computed tomography (CT)

use of a computer to generate an image from a large number of x-rays passed at different angles through the body

fluoroscopy

use of x-rays to examine deep structures; the shadows cast by x-rays passed through the body are observed on a fluorescent screen

magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

production of images through the use of a magnetic field and radio waves; the characteristics of soft tissue are revealed by differences in molecular properties

positron emission tomography (PET)

production of sectional body images by administration of natural substance, such as glucose, labeled with an isotope

radiography

use of x-rays passed through the body to make a visual record of internal structures either on specially sensitized film or digitally

scintigraphy

imaging the radioactivity distribution in tissues after internal administration of a radioactive substance

single photon emission computed tomography

scintigraphic technique that permits visualization of a radioisotope’s cross sectional distribution