Term | Definition |
angiography | procedure that uses x-rays and a contrast dye injected into a blood vessel to create an image. |
anteroposterior | pertaining to going from the front to the back, as in the path of x-rays during an AP chest x-ray |
aortography | procedure that uses x-rays and a contrast dye injected into the aorta to create an image |
arteriography | procedure that uses x-rays and a contrast dye injected into an artery to create an image |
arthrography | procedure that uses x-rays and a contrast dye injected into a joint to create an image |
barium | contrast medium made of small, chalky particles suspended in a liquid |
barium enema | procedure that uses x-rays, fluoroscopy, and barium contrast medum inserted in the rectum to creat an image of the colon. |
bone density testing | procedure that uses x-rays to measure the bone mineral density |
cholangiography, intravenous (IVC) | procedure that uses x-rays and a contrast dye injected intravenously to create an image of the gallbladder |
cholangio-pancreatography, endoscopic retrograde (ERCP) | procedure that uses an endoscope passed through the mouth, a catheter, and contrast dye to create an image of the common bile duct and pancreatic duct |
cholecystography | procedure that uses x-rays and a contrast dye taken orally to create an image of the gallbladder |
cholescintigraphy | nuclear medicine procedure that uses scintigraphy and a radiopharmaceutical drug attached to a carrier molecule (HIDA) to create an image of the gallbladder |
computerized axial tomography | procedure that uses x-rays controlled by a computer; the x-ray source moves around the body axis of a patient inside the CT scanner |
decubitus | lying down position; on the back, as in a position for a radiograph |
DEXA scan | type of bone density test that uses two x-ray beams at two different energy levels |
diagnostic imaging | includes radiology and nuclear medicine, as well as medical photography, microscopic imaging of pathology tissue specimens, etc. |
doppler ultrasonography | procedure that uses ultra high frequency sound waves emitted by an ultrasound transducer placed over an artery and doppler technology to create an audible sound of blood flow through an artery |
dosimetry | process of measuring the amount of radiation exposure as detected by a film badge and measured by a dosimeter |
echocardiography | procedure that uses ultra high frequency sound waves emitted by an ultrasound transducer placed on the chest |
electron beam tomography (EBT) | procedure that uses an electron beam and a spiral CT scan to create an image. |
enhanced | radiography, CT scan, or MRI scan that uses a contrast dye to contrast medium o enhance anatomical details |
film badge | badge worn by healthcare professionals who work in radiology and nuclear medicine |
flat plate of the abdomen | the x-ray beam enters the patient's abdomen and then enters the x-ray plate |
fluoroscopy | procedure that uses continuous x-rays to capture the motion of internal organs after the administration of a contrast medium or contrast dye |
gadolinium | contrast medium used in MRI scans |
gallium-67 | radioactive radiopharmaceutical drug that is given intravenously |
gamma ray | form of radiation emitted from a radioactive substance |
half-life | length of time it take s for half of the atoms in a radioactive substance to decay (emit gamma rays or positrons) and become stable |
hysterosalphingography | procedure that uses x-rays and a contrast dye inserted into the uterus to create an image of the uterus and uterine tubes |
indium-111 | radioactive radiopharmaceutical drug that is given intravenously. it emits gamma rays and is used in nuclear medicine |
interventional radiography | uses CT, MRI, or ultrasonography to guide the insertion of a needle for a biopsy or for another procedure (such as amniocentesis) |
iodinated contrast dye | contrast dye that contains iodine and is radiopaque |
iodine-13 and iodine-131 | radioactive radiopharmaceutical drug that is given intravenously. it emits gamma rays and is used in nuclear medicine |
krypton-81m | radioactive radiopharmaceutical drug that is inhaled as a gas. it emits gamma rays and is used in nuclear medicine |
KUB | x-ray of the kidneys, ureters, and bladders |
lateral | pertaining to the side, as in the path of x-rays during a lateral chest x-ray |
lead apron | shielding apron worn by radiologic personnel to protect themselves from radiation exposure |
lymphangiography | procedure that uses x-rays and a contrast dye injected into a lyphatic vessel to create an image of lymph nodes and lymphatic drainage |
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) | procedure that uses a magnetic field and radiowaves to align the protons in atoms and then cause them to vibrate and emit energy as a signal |
mammography | procedure that uses x-rays to create an image of the breast |
MUGA scan | nuclear medicine procedure that uses scintigraphy and a radiopharmaceutical drug to create an image of the blood in the heart |
myelography | procedure that uses x-rays and a contrast dye inserted through a catheter into the subarachnoid space of the spine to create an image of the spinal cavity, spine, and spinal nerves |
nuclear medicine | medical specialty that uses radioactive substances to create an image of the internal structures of the body |
oblique | on a slant or angle midway between anterior and lateral, as in the path of x-rays during an oblique x-rays |
OncoScint scan | nuclear medicine procedure that uses scintigraphy and a radiopharmaceutical drug to create an image of metastases from cancer of the colon or ovary. |
PET scan | nuclear medicine procedure that uses a radioactive radiopharmaceutical drug combined with glucose molecules |
plain film | radiograph obtained without the use of a contrast medium or contrast dye |
portable film | radiograph obtained at the bedside or in the emergency department with a portable x-ray machine because the patient cannot be transported to the radiology department |
posteroanterior | pertaining to going from the back to the front, as in the path of x-rays during a PA chest x-ray |
projection | standardized, fixed orientation between the position of the patient, the x0ray cassette, and the x-ray machine that determines the direction in which the x-ray beam travels through the patient |
ProstaScint scan | nuclear medicine procedure that uses scintigraphy and a radiopharmaceutical drug to create an image of metastases from prostate cancer |
pyelography | procedure that uses x-rays and a contrast dye injected intravenously or instilled into the bladder to create an image of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra |
quantitative computerized tomography | type of bone density test that uses x0rays and a CT scan to create a 3-D image to measure the bone density of different areas of a bone |
radioactive substance | substance that produces gamma rays or positrons as it decays and its atoms change from an unstable to a stable state |
radiography | procedure that uses x-rays or fluoroscopy, with contrast dye (enhanced) or without (unenhanced) to create an image of the internal structures of the body |
radiology | medical specialty that uses energy (x-rays, magnetic fields, sound waves, or an electron beam) and technology to create images of internal body structures |
radiolucent | areas of low density tissue that allow x-rays to pass through and create a black area on a radiograph |
radiopaque | areas of high-density tissue that do not allow x-rays to pass through, and the creates a white area on a radiograph |
radio-pharmaceutical | naturally occurring or man-made radioactive substance that has been processed and measured to be given as a drug in nuclear medicine |
rem | unit of measurement for radiation exposure |
scintigraphy | nuclear medicine procedure that uses a radioactive radio-pharmaceutical drug as a tracer |
scout film | radiograph obtained to provide a preliminary view of an area before a contrast medium or contrast dye is given |
SPECT scan | nuclear medicine procedure that is a MUGA Scan of the heart in which the gamma scintillation camera moves around the patient to create images in "slices" |
technetium-99m | radioactive radio-pharmaceutical drug that is given intravenously. it emits gamma rays and is used in nuclear medicine |
thallium-201 | radioactive radio-pharmaceutical drug that is given intravenously. it emits gamma rays that is used in nuclear medicine |
ultrasonography (US) | procedure that uses ultra high-frequency sound waves emitted by an ultrasound transducer placed on the skin |
upper gastrointestinal series (UGI) | fluoroscopic procedure that uses x-rays and barium contrast medium that is swallowed to create an image of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum |
venography | procedure that uses x-rays and a contrast dye injected into a vein to create an image of the vein |
ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan | nuclear medicine procedure that uses scintigraphy and an inhaled radio-pharmaceutical drug to create an image of the lungs |
x-rays | form of invisible ionizing radiation |
x-ray cassette | case that holds the x-ray film |
xenon-133 | radioactive radio-phamaceutical drug that is inhaled as a gas. it emits gamma rays and is used in nuclear medicine |
AP | anteroposterior |
Ba | barium |
BE | barium enema |
CAT | computerized axial tomography |
CT | computerized tomography |
CXR | chest x-ray |
DEXA, DXA | dual-energy x ray absorptiometry |
DSA | digital subtraction angiography |
EBT | electron beam tomography |
ERCP | endoscopic retrograde chloangiopancreatography |
HIDA | hydroxyiminodiacetic acid |
IVC | intravenous chloangiography |
IVP | intravenous pyelography |
KUB | kidneys, ureters, bladder |
Lat | lateral |
mra | magnetic resonance angiography |
mri | magnetic resonance imaging |
MUGA | multiple-gated acquisition (scan) |
PA | posteroanterior |
PET | positron emission tomography |
QCT | quantitative compurterized tomography |
R,r | roentgen |
rad | radiation absorbed dose |
RAIU | radioactive iodine uptake |
rem | roentgen-equivalent man |
RRT | registered radiologic technologist |
SPECT | single-photon emission computed tomography |
TEE | transesophageal echocardiography |
UGI | upper gastrointestinal series |
US | ultrasonography, ultrasound |
V/Q | ventilation-perfusion |