Anesthetic
An agent that causes loss of sensation with or without the loss of consciousness.

Angiography, Angiogram
Technique that shows up blood vessels on an X-ray. It is done by injecting X-ray dye (contrast) into the blood vessel.
An angiogram is a picture of one or more blood vessels which are filled with X-ray dye. Angiography usually refers to
arteries; venography is the study of veins using X-ray dye.

Arteriogram
An X-ray of an artery after the injection of dye.

Aspirate, aspiration
Withdrawal of a fluid from the body by suction, usually though a needle or syringe.

Arthrography, Arthrogram
The visualization of a joint by X-ray after the injection of dye into the joint.

Barium
This is a chalky liquid which outlines various parts of the digestive tract on an X-ray. It can be drunk in flavored form to
study the esophagus, stomach and small intestine. It can be used as an enema to study the large bowel. It is inert and is
not absorbed by the body.

Biopsy
The removal and examination of a piece of tissue taken from the body for diagnostic purposes.

Colon
The large intestine.

Computerized tomography
Also known as CT scans or CAT scans (for Computer Assisted Tomography). This technique uses X-rays to generate
computerized images (pictures) of all parts of the body. The technique can create pictures in 2D and 3D.

Conscious sedation
Intravenous medication used to help relax you during a procedure, without putting you to sleep. Usually associated with
procedures which are anxiety-producing for the patient.

Contrast or contrast media
A radiopaque substance used during an X-ray exam (or some MRI exams) to provide visual contrast in the pictures of
different tissues and organs. Can be given orally or intravenously (by injection).

Coronary angiography
This is a study of the blood vessels which supply the muscle of the heart (coronary arteries). By threading a long narrow
flexible catheter through an accessible blood vessel (usually in the groin or arm), the individual coronary arteries are
injected with a small quantity of X-ray dye, which helps radiologists look for blockages (stenoses). Cardiac
catheterization refers to the technique of performing coronary angiography, whereby catheters are threaded into the
heart and coronary arteries.

Doppler
An ultrasound method of examining blood vessels. No X-rays are involved.

Dye (contrast)
A radiopaque substance used during an X-ray exam to provide contrast in the different tissues and organs. "Dye" usually
refers to the contrast media given intravenously.

Echocardiography
A painless study using ultrasonic waves to visualize structural and functional abnormalities of the heart.

Gallbladder series
A series of X-rays of the gallbladder, taken after the gallbladder has been outlined with a special X-ray dye. The dye is
taken by mouth the night prior to the study.

Infuse
To introduce a solution into the body through a vein.

I.V.
Intravenous. Literally, means through a vein. "An IV" (pronounced "eye-vee") often refers to a particular kind of injection
apparatus: a bottle of fluid is held up on a small pole, and gravity causes the fluid to flow down through a flexible tube,
through a needle, and into the patient's vein.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
This technique uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to generate images of the body in 2D and 3D.

Mammography, Mammogram
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast. It is used to detect breast cancer and other abnormalities of the breast.

Myelogram
An X-ray of the spinal cord after the injection of a radiopaque substance into the subarachnoid space.

Pyelogram, IV Urogram, IVP
An X-ray of the pelvis, showing the kidney and associated structures, after injection of a radiopaque dye.

RAD
An acronym for Radiation Absorbed Dose. A unit which measures radiation in terms of the absorbed dose. For
radiologic proceedures it is equivalent to the REM (see below), and the two units are used interchangeably.

Radiation Therapy
Here, large doses of X-rays are used to treat cancer by killing cancer cells. This treatment is not usually part of a
radiology department, and treatment is given by physicians who are specialized in this field (radiation oncologists).

Radiologic technologist
A person trained in the technique of producing an image with the use of X-rays.

Radiologist
A physician who interprets X-ray images to diagnose disease. In addition to interpreting the original kinds of X-ray films,
today's radiologists use a variety of other modalities such as MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine.

Radiopaque
Anything that does not allow the penetration of X-rays.

Roentgen, Wilhelm Conrad
Scientist who discovered X-rays in 1895. Received Nobel prize in 1901.

Scan
Term used to describe the computerized images (pictures) generated by CT, MRI, ultrasound, and nuclear medicine
studies. These might be referred to as a "CT scan," "MR scan," "thyroid scan," "bone scan," and so forth.

SPECT
An acronym for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography. A nuclear medicine procedure in which the gamma
camera rotates around the patient and takes pictures from many angles, which a computer then uses to form a
tomographic (cross-sectional) image. The calculation process is similar to that in X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) and
in Positron Emission computed Tomography (PET).

Stereotactic
The technique of viewing objects from two slightly different angles to give a perception of depth.

Titration, titrate
Adusting the concentration of a solution (such as an injectable drug) so that the smallest possible amount (or lowest
concentration) of the active ingredient is used that will achieve the desired effect.

Transducer
An instrument which converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Also acts as a transmitter and receiver of
ultrasound information.

Ultrasound
This technique uses sound waves to make pictures of the body organs. Since no ionizing radiation (X-rays) are used, it is
ideal for looking at pregnant women and their fetuses, but also has many other uses. It is often used for the neck,
abdomen, pelvis, and soft tissues including blood vessels in the arms and legs.

Upper GI Series
An X-ray exam of the upper part of the digestive tract.

Vascular
Referring to a person's system of blood vessels: arteries, veins, and capillarie