High-energy radiation used in low doses to diagnose diseases and in high doses to treat cancer.
A ray with a very short wavelength, which is invisible, but can go through soft tissue and register as a photograph on a film. X-rays are used in diagnosis in radiography, and in treating disease by radiotherapy.
A photograph taken using X-rays.
An examination in which X-ray photographs are taken.
In medicine and dentistry, pictures of the body taken by use of radiation, in some cases used for treatment. X-rays show what exists beneath the surface of the body and help health professionals identify problems, from impacted teeth or tooth decay to fractures to tumors. Though X-rays should not be overused, their use in medicine and dentistry generally outweighs their associated risks if they are used appropriately, with lead coverings protecting the vulnerable parts of the body not being photographed. However, X-rays should be used only when vital on a woman during pregnancy because of possible danger to the fetus and only sparingly with children because of possible long-term increase in risk of cancer, especially of the breast.
Electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength used to penetrate tissues and record densities on film.
Use of electromagnetic radiation to penetrate body parts and produce images used for diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of conditions.
Electromagnetic waves generated by an electrical current that passes through an X-ray tube and produces a beam of ionizing radiation that can pass through the body to form an image on film or on a digital screen. Because soft body structures are less dense, a greater amount of radiation passes through them, and more radiation reaches the film (the film is exposed to larger amounts of X rays). Soft body tissues appear dark on X- ray film. Because bones are denser than soft tissue, they absorb more radiation, and a lesser amount passes through them. Bones leave the film only slightly exposed and appear light or white on the X-ray film. X rays are performed on different parts of the body for various diagnostic purposes. For example, a chest X ray may be performed to look for evidence of pneumonia, tuberculosis, or fluid in the lungs or to evaluate the size of the heart. Chest X rays are often performed before major surgery, but they are no longer given during routine checkups.
High-energy electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 0.1-100 Å. Equivalently, an x-ray photon has an energy between 1 keV and 1 MeV.
Electromagnetic waves that have a shorter wavelength than light and can penetrate the body to form an image on film or a digital screen. X rays are generated by an electrical current that passes through an X-ray tube and produces a beam of ionizing radiation that can pass through the body part being examined. This process creates an image of internal body structures called a radiograph. “X ray” is also the term for the image or for an examination with X rays.
Electromagnetic radiation of extremely short wavelength! (beyond the ultraviolet), with great penetrating powers in matter opaque to light. X-rays are produced when high-energy beams of electrons strike matter. They are used in diagnosis in the techniques of radiography and also in certain forms of radiotherapy. Great care is needed to avoid unnecessary exposure, because the radiation is harmful in large quantities to all living things.
Also known as Rentgen rays, these were discovered in 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Rentgen. Their use for diagnostic imaging (radiology) and for cancer therapy is now an integral part of medicine. Many other forms of diagnostic imaging have been developed in recent years, sometimes also loosely called ‘radiology’. Similarly the use of chemotherapeutic agents in cancer has led to the term oncology, which may be applied to the treatment of cancer by both drugs and X-rays.
Electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength between 0.1 and 100 angstrom units.