Glossary of Terms
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Anatomy: Structures that make up the human body.
Anesthesia, anesthetic: Any agent, whether given generally, to one body region, or to a specific localized body area, that blocks the patient from feeling pain.
Aneurysm: An enlargement or bulging of a blood vessel.
Angiography technologist: A radiographer who has received specialized education in the areas of anatomy, patient positioning, patient care, radiation safety, imaging techniques and angiography procedures.
Arthritis: Inflammation of the bony joints of the body.
Antiseptic: A solution that kills or inhibits the growth of bacteria on the outer surfaces of the body.
Barium: A special compound used in some x-ray exams to coat the walls of organs such as the esophagus, stomach and intestines to make them show up when x-rays are taken.
BUN: A measure of the blood urea nitrogen levels that are representative of renal function
Catheter: A thin tube used to inject or drain fluid from the body, such as that used to drain urine from the bladder or that used to inject contrast during an x-ray procedure.
Cervix: The lower neck opening into a woman's uterus (womb).
Conductor: A substance capable of transmitting electricity, heat or sound.
Congestive heart failure: A disease where the heart is unable to adequately pump blood throughout the body and cannot prevent blood from "backing up" into the lungs.
Contrast Agent: A substance that may be given by mouth or by injection, that will show up on an X-ray exam and provide contrast between the different tissues and organs.
Creatinine: The level of a nitrogenous compound found in the blood that is representative of renal function.
CT technologist: A radiographer who has received specialized education in the areas of anatomy, patient positioning, patient care, radiation safety, imaging techniques and CT procedures.
Diagnostic: Relating to the process of identifying a disease.
Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of out pouching areas on the colon.
Dulcolax: A type of laxative in pill form used for emptying the intestines of waste material.
Esophagus: The muscular tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach.
Fallopian tubes: A pair of thin tubes in the pelvic area that allow eggs to pass from the ovaries to the uterus in the female.
Filmless radiography: Type of x-ray imaging that uses special plates and readers to produce a digital image.
Fistula: An abnormal tube or tunnel in the body that can result from trauma, surgery, infection, or inflammation.
Fluoroscopy (Fluoroscope): A means of studying moving internal body structures, that uses x-rays and a special screen to produce an image. The image can be transmitted to a TV-like monitor so that the body part and its motion can be seen in detail.
Gamma camera: The camera used in nuclear medicine to produce images and measure how parts of the body are functioning.
Gantry: In CT, the large doughnut-shaped frame that supports the x-ray tube and the detector assembly that rotate around the patient during an exam.
Gastrointestinal: Relating to both the stomach and the intestines.
Intravenous: A method of administering medicine or a contrast agent by placing a small needle in a vein.
Magnesium citrate: A type of flavored liquid laxative used for cleaning the intestines.
Magnetic field: The space around a magnetic object.
Mammographer: A skilled medical professional who has received specialized education in breast imaging and the areas of radiation protection, patient care, radiation exposure, radiographic positioning and radiographic procedures.
MRI technologist: A skilled medical professional who has received specialized education in the areas of anatomy, patient positioning, patient care, imaging techniques and MRI procedures.
Metabolic: Relating to the chemical changes in the body that provide energy for vital body functions.
Methylcellulose: A compound that absorbs water and can be used in some x-ray exams to distend areas of the intestines to allow better viewing of overlying bowel loops.
Muscoskeletal: Relating to the body's muscle and bone structures.
Myelography: A special type of x-ray testing of the spinal canal that uses dye directly injected into the canal.
Nuclear Medicine Technologist: A skilled medical professional who has received specialized education in nuclear medicine technology and the areas of patient care and the handling of radiopharmaceuticals, along with radiation protection and radiation exposure.
Pneumonia: A disease of the lungs usually caused by infection.
Polyp: A protruding growth or tumor arising from the mucous lining of an organ, such as the intestines, nose or uterus.
Radiation: The process of giving off energy in the form of waves or particles. Some waves, such as x-rays, can penetrate the body.
Radioactive: A state of spontaneously giving off invisible radiation or x-rays.
Radiofrequency: An electromagnetic wave with a frequency between that of audio and infrared.
Radiographer: A skilled medical professional who has received specialized education in the areas of radiation protection, patient care, radiation exposure, radiographic positioning and radiographic procedures.
Radiologist: A skilled specially trained physician who interprets X-ray images to diagnose disease.
Radiopharmaceutical: A compound that contains a small amount of radioactive material that is used in nuclear medicine studies to localize specific body organ systems.
Radiowave: An electromagnetic wave with the lowest frequency and longest wavelength.
Reflux: A flowing back toward the source.
Sonographer: A skilled medical professional who has received specialized education in ultrasound technology and imaging, along with specific patient care.
Speculum: A special instrument inserted into a body passage that allows better viewing or medication.
Stent: A coiled or wire mesh tube that can be used to prop open a blood vessel or a renal ureter to improve flow.
Suppository: A small shaped plug of medicine designed to melt at body temperature within a body cavity such as the rectum or vagina.
Transducer: An instrument that acts as a transmitter and receiver of ultrasound information.
Tuberculosis: A contagious lung disease caused by bacterial infection.
Ureters: Small ducts that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder.
Urethra: The small duct leading from the urinary bladder to the outside of the body.
Uterus: An organ of the woman's reproductive system that contains the developing fetus during pregnancy.
Vascular: Refers to a blood vessel system which includes the arteries, veins, and capillaries.
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Glossary