BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuAbdominal x-rayAbdominal film; X-ray - abdomen; Flat plate; KUB 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.When the test is done to look at the bladder and kidney structures, it is called a KUB (kidneys, ureters, bladder) x-ray. How the Test is Performed The test may be done in a hospital radiology department. Or, it may be done in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist.You lie on your back on the x-ray table. The x-ray machine is positioned over your abdominal area. You hold your breath as the picture is taken so that the picture will not be blurry. You may be asked to change position to the side or to stand up for additional pictures.Body parts not being imaged may be covered with a lead apron or shield to limit exposure to the x-rays. How to Prepare for the Test Before having the x-ray, tell your provider the following:If you are pregnant or think you could be pregnant Have had a barium contrast x-ray in the last 4 daysYou will wear a hospital gown during the x-ray procedure. You must remove all jewelry. How the Test will Feel There is no discomfort. The x-rays are taken as you lie on your back, side, and while standing. Why the Test is Performed Your provider may order this test to:Diagnose a pain in the abdomen or unexplained nausea Pain in the abdomenAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article NauseaNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Identify suspected problems in the urinary system, such as a kidney stone Kidney stoneA kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Identify blockage in the intestine Blockage in the intestineIntestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Locate an object that has been swallowed Object that has been swallowedIf you swallow a foreign object, it can get stuck in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the esophagus (swallowing tube) to the colon (large intesti...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Help diagnose diseases, such as tumors or other conditions Normal Results The x-ray will show normal structures for a person your age. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal findings include:Abdominal masses Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) Buildup of fluidAscites is the build-up of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Certain types of gallstones GallstonesGallstones are hard deposits that form inside the gallbladder. These may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Foreign object in the intestines Hole in the stomach or intestines Intestinal blockage Kidney stones Risks There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared to the benefits.Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the x-ray. Women should tell their provider if they are, or may be, pregnant.Open ReferencesReferencesSarraf AAA, McLaughlub PD, Maher MM. Current status of imaging of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 18.Tomei E, Cantisani V, Marcantonio A, D'Ambrosio U, Hayano K. Plain radiography of the abdomen. In: Sahani DV, Samir AE, eds. Abdominal Imaging. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 1.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-rayillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustrationX-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-rayillustrationDigestive system - illustration The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.Digestive systemillustration Tests for Abdominal x-ray Abdominal x-rayX-rayAbdominal CT scanMesenteric angiographyAortic angiographyRelated Information X-ray(Medical Test)Kidney stones(Condition)Abdominal pain(Symptoms)Nausea and vomiting – adults(Symptoms)Gallstones(Condition)Intestinal obstruction and Ileus(Condition)Abdominal aortic aneurysm(Condition)Appendicitis(Condition)Acute cholecystitis(Condition)Acute kidney failure(Condition)Kidney stones - InDepth(In-Depth)Gallstones and gallbladder disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Cirrhosis - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 1/7/2023 Reviewed By: Jason Levy, MD, FSIR, Northside Radiology Associates, Atlanta, GA. 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. 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Abdominal x-rayAbdominal film; X-ray - abdomen; Flat plate; KUB 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.When the test is done to look at the bladder and kidney structures, it is called a KUB (kidneys, ureters, bladder) x-ray. How the Test is Performed The test may be done in a hospital radiology department. Or, it may be done in the health care provider's office by an x-ray technologist.You lie on your back on the x-ray table. The x-ray machine is positioned over your abdominal area. You hold your breath as the picture is taken so that the picture will not be blurry. You may be asked to change position to the side or to stand up for additional pictures.Body parts not being imaged may be covered with a lead apron or shield to limit exposure to the x-rays. How to Prepare for the Test Before having the x-ray, tell your provider the following:If you are pregnant or think you could be pregnant Have had a barium contrast x-ray in the last 4 daysYou will wear a hospital gown during the x-ray procedure. You must remove all jewelry. How the Test will Feel There is no discomfort. The x-rays are taken as you lie on your back, side, and while standing. Why the Test is Performed Your provider may order this test to:Diagnose a pain in the abdomen or unexplained nausea Pain in the abdomenAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article NauseaNausea is feeling an urge to vomit. It is often called "being sick to your stomach. "Vomiting or throwing-up forces the contents of the stomach up t...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Identify suspected problems in the urinary system, such as a kidney stone Kidney stoneA kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Identify blockage in the intestine Blockage in the intestineIntestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Locate an object that has been swallowed Object that has been swallowedIf you swallow a foreign object, it can get stuck in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the esophagus (swallowing tube) to the colon (large intesti...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Help diagnose diseases, such as tumors or other conditions Normal Results The x-ray will show normal structures for a person your age. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal findings include:Abdominal masses Buildup of fluid in the abdomen (ascites) Buildup of fluidAscites is the build-up of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and abdominal organs.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Certain types of gallstones GallstonesGallstones are hard deposits that form inside the gallbladder. These may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Foreign object in the intestines Hole in the stomach or intestines Intestinal blockage Kidney stones Risks There is low radiation exposure. X-rays are monitored and regulated to provide the minimum amount of radiation exposure needed to produce the image. Most experts feel that the risk is low compared to the benefits.Pregnant women and children are more sensitive to the risks of the x-ray. Women should tell their provider if they are, or may be, pregnant.Open ReferencesReferencesSarraf AAA, McLaughlub PD, Maher MM. Current status of imaging of the gastrointestinal tract. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison's Diagnostic Radiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 18.Tomei E, Cantisani V, Marcantonio A, D'Ambrosio U, Hayano K. Plain radiography of the abdomen. In: Sahani DV, Samir AE, eds. Abdominal Imaging. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 1.