Chemicals which are given patients by mouth and also intra¬ venously in certain kinds of x-ray diagnostic procedures (contrast radiography) in order to make body structures through which the chemicals pass show up with contrasting density when x-rayed. These media are classified as “traditional,” those available before 1986, and a newer kind introduced in 1986 called low osmolar contrast media (LOCM), which are slightly more comfortable for the patient and slightly safer, but considerably more expensive.
A substance that possesses a significantly distinct density compared to the surrounding structures, enabling the delineation of internal anatomical features when introduced into the body for radiographic purposes.
Substances that, being more dense than bodily tissues, are introduced into cavities, organs, or vessels to highlight their structure in an X-ray image. For example, barium solutions are administered for visualizing the gastrointestinal tract’s interior, while other substances like iodized oil are injected into the bloodstream to enhance the visibility of organs such as the kidneys and gallbladder.