X rays are everywhere in the world, from the medical field to security systems, to the eyes of our favorite superheroes. But how do they work? It does sound pretty fantastical, having a machine that simply pierces clothes and skin while revealing bones and metal, but it does work.
X rays are light rays, but they can’t be seen by human eyes. However, they can pass through human tissues and skin with no trouble. However, the bones and metal absorb the light rays and show up on the screen when an X-ray is taken.
Then the entire body is shown when it is exposed to x-rays, allowing doctors to easily see broken bones, metal items and foreign objects in the body without opening the body up. Then they can more accurately plan a diagnosis and treatment.
Other medical X-rays
The most common form of X-rays is radiography, which is used by doctors and dentists to inspect the body or teeth for any problems or foreign objects. However, X-rays are used for other sources, such as mammograms that are used to detect breast cancer.
CT scans are another example, which sets up three-dimensional images to allow doctors to take a single look at the body from several angles in detail. Fluoroscopy also gives real-time images of the body, to allow doctors to inspect a beating heart, blood flow, the movement of liquids, and other bodily functions.
Only a slight danger
X-rays do have some radiation elements, but the chances of getting cancer from a simple scan aren’t too large, even if the recipient is a pregnant woman or a child. By either adjusting the radiation output or using a non-radioactive alternative, digital x-ray imaging of a body can be done with no harm or damage to anyone.