What is an X-Ray?
An x-ray machine generates short bursts of ionizing radiation that penetrate tissues of varying density within the body. As the x-ray beams pass through, they are absorbed at different levels, allowing an image to be captured on film or digitally. This creates image contrasts between bone, fluid, fat, organs and air spaces.
Production of X-Rays
X-rays are produced by electron beams that are accelerated in a vacuum tube and focused on a metal target. When electrons collide with and dislodge the inner shell electrons of the target's atoms, characteristic x-ray photons are emitted. These x-rays emitted from an x-ray tube are considered artificial source x-rays.
Use in Medical Imaging
In medicine, x-rays allow visualization of dense structures like bone and also air-containing spaces like the lungs. Radiographic contrast agents containing dense elements can also enhance x-ray visualization of organs and tissues which are otherwise invisible or difficult to distinguish.
Body Areas Imaged by X-Rays
Some of the most common x-rayed anatomical regions include:
Chest
Chest x-rays provide important views of the heart, lungs, ribs, spine and mediastinal spaces. They are useful for detecting pneumonia, heart failure, fractures, lung cancer, and positioning of tubes.
Abdomen
Abdominal x-rays capture images of the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, kidneys and bladder. They can detect intestinal blockages, kidney stones, foreign objects, and constipation issues.
Extremities
X-rays of the arms, legs, hands, feet, fingers and toes are used to assess bone alignment and detect fractures from injuries. Detailed views help determine appropriate treatment.
Pelvis
Pelvic x-rays provide images of the sacrum, hip bones, and coccyx bone structure. They allow evaluation of fractures, arthritis, and alignment.
Spine
Vertebral column x-rays generate multiple views of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral spine segments. They clearly show location and severity of fractures, alignment and arthritic changes.
Dental
Dental x-rays use very short exposures to image teeth, gums and jaw to screen for cavities, infections, cysts and tumors. Bitewing, periapical, occlusal and panoramic views aid dentistry.
Head
Head x-rays like mandible films allow physicians to exclude fractures and assess temporomandibular joint disorders. Some sinus films also utilize x-ray technology.
X-Ray Safety Protocols and Equipment
While extremely useful for analysis of bony anatomy and pathology, x-rays do come with a small amount of radiation exposure risk. However, when properly used with good technique, radiation dose can be minimized to negligible levels, especially compared to background environmental radiation present naturally.
Lead Shielding
Shielding is always placed over radiosensitive reproductive organs in the pelvis during x-rays of other anatomical areas. Lead aprons, gloves and thyroid shields protect patients.
Collimation
Collimation reduces stray radiation exposure by limiting the x-ray beam to just the area of interest. Retight collimation onto the target tissue is ensured before activation of the beam.
Pulsed Mode
Modern x-ray tubes allow the beam to be turned on-off intermittently, enabling lower durations of exposure during an image capture sequence.
Rare Use in Pregnancy
While single, low-dose diagnostic x-rays create a very small and safe risk to a fetus, they are still avoided during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary for maternal benefit.
X-Ray Image Examples and Findings
Normal Chest X-Ray
This is a normal frontal view chest x-ray. It shows clear lung fields with normal cardiac contours. The thoracic spine bones are also intact with expected mineralization.
Pneumonia Chest X-Ray
This chest x-ray depicts right middle and lower lobe pneumonia infection, seen as consolidation and opacities in those lung regions.
Fractured Upper Arm X-Ray
This roughed humeral shaft fracture is seen on the x-ray view. The upper arm bone integrity is disrupted and alignment is abnormal after a traumatic injury.
Pelvic Fracture X-Ray
This pelvis x-ray shows disruption of the sacrum bone ring structure and pubic rami fractures due to traumatic blunt force during a motor vehicle collision.
The Takeaway
Medical x-rays provide physicians with invaluable internal visualization of human anatomy to screen for fractures, cancers, foreign objects, arthritis, pneumonia and many other conditions. Using properly calibrated equipment and safety protocols, x-rays impart very low patient radiation exposure while generating sometimes life-saving diagnostic images.
FAQs
Are x-rays harmful to the human body?
X-rays do impart a small dose of ionizing radiation, but it is an extremely low amount in medical diagnostic imaging. Lead shielding, beam collimation, and short exposure times ensure safety. The risk is far smaller than other everyday sources.
What body parts can be x-rayed?
Some of the most commonly x-rayed anatomy includes the chest, abdomen, extremities, pelvis, spine, head, sinuses, and teeth. The dense mineral in bones and contrasts between organs allow detailed body visualization.
Can I get an x-ray while pregnant?
Unless absolutely necessary for maternal health benefit, x-rays are avoided during pregnancy due to an abundance of caution. The radiation risk is very small, but imaging modalities not using ionizing radiation are preferred.
Do x-rays require injection of contrast dye?
For enhanced visibility of soft tissues and organs, radiographic contrast agents can be given by mouth, enema or injection before abdominal and vascular imaging. But standard bone, joint and chest x-rays do not utilize contrast.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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