X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray particles 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 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.
The following are common types of x-rays:
- Abdominal x-ray
- Barium x-ray
- Bone x-ray
- Chest x-ray
- Dental x-rays
- Extremity x-ray
- Hand x-ray
- Joint x-ray
- Lubosacral spine x-ray
- Neck x-ray
- Pelvis x-ray
- Sinus x-ray
- Skull x-ray
- Thoracic spine x-ray
- Upper GI and small bowel series
- X-ray of the skeleton
