BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuX-rayRadiographyX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images are recorded on a computer or film.Structures that are dense (such as bone) will block most of the x-ray waves, and will appear white. Metal and contrast media (special dye used to highlight areas of the body) will also appear white. Structures containing air will be black, and muscle, fat, and fluid will appear as shades of gray. How the Test is Performed The test is done in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office. How you are positioned depends on the type of x-ray being done. Several different x-ray views may be needed. You need to stay still when you are having an x-ray. Motion can cause blurry images. You may be asked to hold your breath or not move for a second or two when the image is being taken. The following are common types of x-rays:Abdominal x-ray Abdominal x-rayAn abdominal x-ray is an imaging test to look at organs and structures in the abdomen. Organs include the liver, spleen, stomach, and intestines. Wh...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Barium x-ray Barium x-rayBarium enema is a special x-ray of the large intestine, which includes the colon and rectum.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bone x-ray Bone x-rayA bone x-ray is an imaging test to look at the bones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Dental x-ray Dental x-rayDental x-rays are a type of image of the teeth and mouth. X-rays are a form of high energy electromagnetic radiation. The x-rays penetrate the body...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Extremity x-ray Extremity x-rayAn extremity x-ray is an image of the hands, wrist, feet, ankle, leg, thigh, forearm humerus or upper arm, hip, shoulder or all of these areas. The ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hand x-ray Hand x-rayThis test is an x-ray of one or both hands.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint x-ray Joint x-rayThis test is an x-ray of a knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, ankle, or other joint.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lumbosacral spine x-ray Lumbosacral spine x-rayA lumbosacral spine x-ray is a picture of the small bones (vertebrae) in the lower part of the spine. This area includes the lumbar region and the s...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Neck x-ray Neck x-rayA neck x-ray is an imaging test to look at the cervical vertebrae. These are the 7 bones of the spine in the neck.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pelvis x-ray Pelvis x-rayA pelvis x-ray is a picture of the bones in and around both hips. The pelvis connects the legs to the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sinus x-ray Sinus x-rayA sinus x-ray is an imaging test to look at the sinuses. These are the air-filled spaces in the front of the skull.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skull x-ray Skull x-rayA skull x-ray is a picture of the bones surrounding the brain, including the facial bones, the nose, and the sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thoracic spine x-ray Thoracic spine x-rayA thoracic spine x-ray is an x-ray of the 12 chest (thoracic) bones (vertebrae) of the spine. The vertebrae are separated by flat pads of cartilage ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Upper GI and small bowel series Upper GI and small bowel seriesAn upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Barium enema is a related test th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article X-ray of the skeletonX-ray of the skeletonA skeletal x-ray is an imaging test used to look at your bones. It is used to detect fractures, tumors, or conditions that cause wearing away (degen...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test Before the x-ray, tell your health care team if you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or if you have an IUD inserted.You will need to remove all jewelry. Metal can cause unclear images. You may need to wear a hospital gown. How the Test will Feel X-rays are painless. Some body positions needed during an x-ray may be uncomfortable for a short time. Risks X-rays are monitored and regulated so you get the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. For most x-rays, your risk for cancer, or if you are pregnant, the risk for birth defects in your unborn baby is very low. Most experts feel that the benefits of appropriate x-ray imaging greatly outweigh any risks.Young children and babies in the womb are more sensitive to the risks of x-rays. Tell your provider if you think you might be pregnant.Open ReferencesReferencesMettler FA. Introduction: an approach to image interpretation. In: Mettler FA, ed. Essentials of Radiology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 1.Rodney WM, Rodney JRM, Arnold KMR. Principles of x-ray interpretation. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 235.AllVideoImagesTogX-ray - illustration X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation that can penetrate the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray depending on density. X-rays can provide information about obstructions, tumors, and other diseases, especially when coupled with the use of barium and air contrast within the bowel.X-rayillustrationX-ray - illustration X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. Structures that are dense, such as bone, will block most of the x-ray particles, and will appear white. Metal and contrast media (special dye used to highlight areas of the body) will also appear white. Structures containing air will be black and muscle, fat, and fluid will appear as shades of gray.X-rayillustrationX-ray - illustration X-rays are a form of ionizing radiation that can penetrate the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray depending on density. X-rays can provide information about obstructions, tumors, and other diseases, especially when coupled with the use of barium and air contrast within the bowel.X-rayillustrationX-ray - illustration X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. Structures that are dense, such as bone, will block most of the x-ray particles, and will appear white. Metal and contrast media (special dye used to highlight areas of the body) will also appear white. Structures containing air will be black and muscle, fat, and fluid will appear as shades of gray.X-rayillustration Tests for X-ray X-rayX-ray - skeletonDental x-raysSkull x-rayLumbosacral spine x-rayThoracic spine x-raySinus x-rayChest x-rayNeck x-rayPelvis x-rayRelated Information Venogram(Medical Test) Review Date: 7/25/2022 Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
X-rayRadiographyX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images are recorded on a computer or film.Structures that are dense (such as bone) will block most of the x-ray waves, and will appear white. Metal and contrast media (special dye used to highlight areas of the body) will also appear white. Structures containing air will be black, and muscle, fat, and fluid will appear as shades of gray. How the Test is Performed The test is done in a hospital radiology department or in the health care provider's office. How you are positioned depends on the type of x-ray being done. Several different x-ray views may be needed. You need to stay still when you are having an x-ray. Motion can cause blurry images. You may be asked to hold your breath or not move for a second or two when the image is being taken. The following are common types of x-rays:Abdominal x-ray Abdominal x-rayAn abdominal x-ray is an imaging test to look at organs and structures in the abdomen. Organs include the liver, spleen, stomach, and intestines. Wh...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Barium x-ray Barium x-rayBarium enema is a special x-ray of the large intestine, which includes the colon and rectum.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bone x-ray Bone x-rayA bone x-ray is an imaging test to look at the bones.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest x-ray Chest x-rayA chest x-ray is an x-ray of the chest, lungs, heart, large arteries, ribs, and diaphragm.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Dental x-ray Dental x-rayDental x-rays are a type of image of the teeth and mouth. X-rays are a form of high energy electromagnetic radiation. The x-rays penetrate the body...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Extremity x-ray Extremity x-rayAn extremity x-ray is an image of the hands, wrist, feet, ankle, leg, thigh, forearm humerus or upper arm, hip, shoulder or all of these areas. The ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hand x-ray Hand x-rayThis test is an x-ray of one or both hands.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Joint x-ray Joint x-rayThis test is an x-ray of a knee, shoulder, hip, wrist, ankle, or other joint.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Lumbosacral spine x-ray Lumbosacral spine x-rayA lumbosacral spine x-ray is a picture of the small bones (vertebrae) in the lower part of the spine. This area includes the lumbar region and the s...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Neck x-ray Neck x-rayA neck x-ray is an imaging test to look at the cervical vertebrae. These are the 7 bones of the spine in the neck.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pelvis x-ray Pelvis x-rayA pelvis x-ray is a picture of the bones in and around both hips. The pelvis connects the legs to the body.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sinus x-ray Sinus x-rayA sinus x-ray is an imaging test to look at the sinuses. These are the air-filled spaces in the front of the skull.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skull x-ray Skull x-rayA skull x-ray is a picture of the bones surrounding the brain, including the facial bones, the nose, and the sinuses.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Thoracic spine x-ray Thoracic spine x-rayA thoracic spine x-ray is an x-ray of the 12 chest (thoracic) bones (vertebrae) of the spine. The vertebrae are separated by flat pads of cartilage ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Upper GI and small bowel series Upper GI and small bowel seriesAn upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Barium enema is a related test th...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article X-ray of the skeletonX-ray of the skeletonA skeletal x-ray is an imaging test used to look at your bones. It is used to detect fractures, tumors, or conditions that cause wearing away (degen...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test Before the x-ray, tell your health care team if you are pregnant, may be pregnant, or if you have an IUD inserted.You will need to remove all jewelry. Metal can cause unclear images. You may need to wear a hospital gown. How the Test will Feel X-rays are painless. Some body positions needed during an x-ray may be uncomfortable for a short time. Risks X-rays are monitored and regulated so you get the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. For most x-rays, your risk for cancer, or if you are pregnant, the risk for birth defects in your unborn baby is very low. Most experts feel that the benefits of appropriate x-ray imaging greatly outweigh any risks.Young children and babies in the womb are more sensitive to the risks of x-rays. Tell your provider if you think you might be pregnant.Open ReferencesReferencesMettler FA. Introduction: an approach to image interpretation. In: Mettler FA, ed. Essentials of Radiology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 1.Rodney WM, Rodney JRM, Arnold KMR. Principles of x-ray interpretation. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 235.