Radiology Terminology

Abduction

Movement of a limb away from the body

Adduction

Movement of a limb toward the axis of the body

Arthrography

A method of radiographically visualizing the inside of a joint by injecting air or contrast medium

Brachytherapy

The placement of radioactive sources in contact with or implanted into the tissues to be treated

Bronchography

An X-ray examination of the bronchi after they have been coated with a radiopaque substance

Cineradiography

The filming with a movie camera of the images that appear on a fluorescent screen especially those images of body structures that have been injected with a nontoxic radiopaque medium for diagnostic purposes

Computed Tomography (CT)

An X-ray technique that produces a film representing a detailed cross section of tissue structure also know as a CT

Fluoroscopy

A technique in radiology for visually examining a part of the body or the function of an organ using a fluoroscope

Gamma Camera

A device that uses the emission of light from a crystal struck by gamma rays to produce an image of the distrubtion of radioactive material in a body organ

Gamma Rays

An electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength emitted by the nucleus of an atom during a nuclear reaction

Half-Life

The time required for a radioactive substance to lose 50% of its activity through decay

Lymphangiography

The X-ray examination of lymph glands and lymphatic vessels after an injection of contrast medium

Magnetic Resonance imaging(MRI)

Medical imaging that uses radio frequency signals as its source of enegry also known as a MRI

Myelography

A radiographic process by which the spinal cord and the spinal subarachnoid space are viewed and photographed after the introduction of a contrast medium

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

A computerized radiographic technique that employs radioactive substances to examine the metabolic activity of various body structures also known as PET

Posteroanterior

The direction from back to front

Pyelography

A technique in radiology for examining the structures and evaluating the function of the urinary system

Radiation Therapy

The treatment of neoplastic disease by using X-rays or gamma rays, usually from a cobalt source, to deter the growth of malignant cells by decreasing the rate of cell division or impairing DNA synthesis. Also called Radiotherapy

Radioactivity

The ability of a substance to emit rays or particles( alpha,beta, or gamma) from its nucleus

Radiographer

An allied health professional trained to use X-ray machines and ither imaging equiment to produce images of the internal structures of the body; also known as a radiologic technologist

Radiologist

A physician who specializes in radiology

Radiology

The study of the diagnostic and therapeutic uses of X-rays also known as roentgenology

Radionuclide (Radioisotope)

An isotope(or nuclide) that undergoes radioactive decay

Radiopaque

Not permitting the passage of X-rays or other radiant energy

Scanning

A technique for carefully studying an area, organ, or system of the body by recording and displaying an image of the area.

Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography(SPECT)

A Variation of comptuerized tomography(CT) scanning in whuch gamma camera detectors rotate around rhe patiwns body collecting data. The data are summarized into three dimensional representation

Supine

Lying horizontally on the back

Teletherapy

Radiation therapy administered by a machine positioned at some distance from the patient

Tomography

An X-ray technique that produces a film representing a detailed cross section of tissue structure at a predeterminded depth

Transducer

A handheld device that sends and receives a sound wave signal

Ultrasound

Sound waves at the very high frequency of more than 20,000kHz( vibrations per secon)

Uptake

The drawing up or absorption of a substance

Radiolucent

dark areas on a radiographic image that allow x-rays to pass through easily. This often indicates the presence of less dense tissues or materials.