X-RAYS Sasha

Bennett &Natalie Rochette

History of the X-ray

First observed and documented in 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, a German scientist who found it by accident while experimenting with vacuum tubes.

Named “X” to indicate that it was an unknown type of radiation

WHAT IS AN X-RAY?

A form of electromagnetic radiation

Wavelength in the form of 10 to 0.01 nanometers

It is shorter in wavelength than UV rays

How does an X-ray work?

Generated by a vacuum tube that uses a high voltage to accelerate electrons released by a hot cathode to a high velocity.

X ray sensitive film is put on one side of your body and x-rays are shot through the organism.

What X-rays show and how.

Bones and teeth are dense and absorb more x-rays than one’s skin would.

Silhouettes of your bones and teeth are left on the x-ray film, where one’s skin appears to be transparent.

X-rays not only show the bones and teeth inside of an organism, but they also show the shadows of objects through out their systems.

Dense structures appear white while air will be black.

Shadows appear as different shades of gray depending upon their density.

What are the purposes of an X-ray?

Used for diagnostic radiography

Cancer treatment (ionizes)

Helps view broken bonesProvides information

about obstructions, tumors, and other diseases.

Examination of baggage in airports.

Industrial Uses

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN X-RAY IS TAKEN

Patient stands between the machine and a special screen used for obtaining the image.

They are asked to remove all metal objects.

They would stand still for the few seconds in order for the image to be taken.

The pictures are checked for technical quality by the radiographer and then sent off to the radiologist for reporting.

How is the X-ray different than MRI’s that are used to view the body?

X-rays use radiation, while MRI’s use magnetic fields

X-rays show the bones and teeth, while MRI’s show the bones and the organs/tissues that lay behind them.