1.
abduction: movement away from the midline of the body
2.
adduction: movement toward the midline of the body
3.
angiography: X-ray image (angiogram) of blood vessels and heart chambers is obtained after contrast is injected through a catheter into the appropriate blood vessel or heart chamber
4.
anteroposterior (AP) view: x-rays travel from an anteriorly placed source to a posteriorly placed detector
5.
barium enema (BE) study: lower GI series that opacifies the lumen of the large intestine using an enema containing barium sulfate
6.
Barium Sulfate: a radiopaque medium that is mixed in water and used for examination of the upper and lower GI tract
7.
bone scan: Technetium (99mTc) is used to label phosphate substances and then is injected intravenously. The phosphate compound is taken up by bone, and the skeleton is imaged in 2 to 3 hours
8.
cholangiography: X-ray imaging after injection of contrast into bile ducts
9.
computed tomography (CT): diagnostic x-ray procedure whereby a cross-sectional image of a specific body segment is produced
10.
contrast studies: radiopaque materials (contrast media) are injected to obtain contrast with surrounding tissue when shown on the x-ray film
11.
coronary angiography: X-ray image (angiogram) which determines the degree of obstruction of the arteries that supply blood to the heart
12.
digital imaging techniques: methods used to enhance conventional and fluoroscopic x-ray images
13.
digital subtraction angiography (DSA): X-ray image of contrast-injected blood vessels is produced by taking two X-ray pictures and using a computer to subtract obscuring shadows from the second image
14.
double-contrast study: uses both a radiopaque and a radiolucent contrast medium
15.
echocardiography: use of ultrasound techniques to detect heart valve and blood vessel disorders; gastroenterologists use it to locate abdominal masses outside the digestive organs
16.
endoscopic ultrasonography: technique in which a small ultrasound transducer is installed on the tip of an endoscope and inserted into the body; used to obtain detailed images of the digestive & respiratory systems
17.
ETT-MIBI scan: an exercise tolerance test (ETT) is used with a technetium Tc-99m sestamibi (Cardiolite) scan
18.
eversion: turning outward
19.
extension: lengthening or straightening a flexed limb
20.
flexion: bending a part of the body
21.
fluoroscopy: use of x-rays and a fluorescent screen to produce real-time video images
22.
gadolinium (Gd): most commonly used contrast agent in performing MRIs
23.
gamma camera: machine to detect gamma rays emitted from radiopharmaceuticals during scanning for diagnostic purposes
24.
gamma rays: high-energy rays emitted by radioactive substances in tracer studies
25.
half-life: time required for a radioactive substance to lose half its radioactivity by disintegration
26.
hysterosalpingography: X-ray record of the endometrial cavity and fallopian tubes is obtained after injection of contrast material through the vagina and into the endocervical canal
27.
in vitro: process, test, or procedure is performed, measured, or observed outside a living organism, often in a test tube
28.
in vivo: process, test, or procedure is performed, measured, or observed within a living organism
29.
interventional radiology: therapeutic or diagnostic procedures performed by a radiologist
30.
inversion: turning inward
31.
Iodine Compounds: radiopaque fluids containing up to 50% iodine
32.
ionization: transformation of electrically neutral substances into electrically charged particles
33.
lateral decubitus: lying down on the side (with the x-ray beam horizontally positioned)
34.
left lateral view: x-rays travel from a source located to the right of the patient to a detector placed to the left of the patient
35.
lymphoscintigraphy: type of nuclear medicine imaging that provides pictures (scintigrams) of the lymphatic system
36.
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): magnetic field and radio waves produce sagittal, coronal, and axial images of the body
37.
mammography: uses low-dose x-rays to visualize breast tissue
38.
multiple gated acquisition (MUGA) scan: 99mTc is injected intravenously to study the motion of the heart wall muscle and the ventricle's ability to eject blood (ejection fraction)
39.
myelography: X-ray imaging of the spinal cord after injection of contrast agent into the subarachnoid space surrounding the spinal cord
40.
nuclear medicine: medical specialty that studies the uses of radioactive substances (radionuclides) in diagnosis of disease
41.
oblique view: x-rays travel in a slanting direction at an angle from the perpendicular plane; oblique views show regions or structures ordinarily hidden and superimposed in routine PA / AP views
42.
perfusion studies: passage of the radioactive compound through the capillaries of the lungs
43.
positron emission tomography (PET): positron-emitting radioactive substances given intravenously create a cross-sectional image of cellular metabolism based on local concentration of the radioactive substance
44.
posteroanterior (PA) view: most commonly requested chest x-ray view; rays travel from a posteriorly placed source to an anteriorly placed detector
45.
prone: lying on the belly
46.
pyelography: X-ray imaging of the renal pelvis and urinary tract
47.
radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) study: performed to assess the function of the thyroid gland; patient is given radioactive iodine (131I) and a probe is placed over the thyroid gland
48.
radioactivity: the spontaneous emission of energy in the form of particles or rays coming from the interior of a substance
49.
radiofrequency ablation: removal of tumors and tissues using interventional radiologic assistance
50.
radioimmunoassay: test combines radioactive chemicals and antibodies to detect minute quantities of substances in a patient's blood
51.
radioisotope: radioactive form of an element substance; radionuclide
52.
radiolabeled compound: radiopharmaceutical; used in nuclear medicine studies
53.
radiology: medical specialty concerned with the study of x-rays and their use in the diagnosis of disease; includes other forms of energy, such as ultrasound and magnetic waves
54.
radiolucent: permitting the passage of x-rays. Radiolucent structures appear black on x-ray film
55.
radionuclide: radioactive form of an element that gives off energy in the form of radiation; radioisotope
56.
radiopaque: obstructing the passage of x-rays. Radiopaque structures appear white on the x-ray film
57.
radiopharmaceutical: radioactive drug (radionuclide plus chemical) that is administered safely for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes; a radiotracer
58.
recumbent: lying down (may be prone or supine)
59.
right lateral view: x-rays travel from a source located to the left of the patient to a detector placed to the right of the patient
60.
scan: image of an area, organ or tissue of the body obtained from ultrasound, radioactive tracer studies, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging
61.
sentinel lymph node: the first lymph node to receive lymph drainage from a tumor
62.
single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT): radioactive tracer is injected intravenously and a computer reconstructs a 3D image based on a composite of many views
63.
small bowel follow-through (SBFT): procedure used to trace the passage of barium in a sequential manner as it passes through the small intestine
64.
sonogram: the record produced by ultrasound
65.
supine: lying on the back
66.
tagging: attaching a radionuclide to a chemical and following its path in the body
67.
technetium Tc-99m sestamibi (Cardiolite): this radiopharmaceutical is injected intravenously and traced to heart muscle
68.
thallium (Tl) scan: Thallium-201 (201Tl) is injected intravenously to evaluate myocardial perfusion
69.
thyroid scan: an iodine radionuclide, usu. iodine-123 (123I), is administered orally, and the scan reveals the size, shape, and position of the thyroid gland
70.
tracer studies: radionuclides are used as tags, or labels, attached to chemicals and followed as they travel through the body
71.
transducer: handheld device that sends and receives ultrasound signals
72.
ultrasonography (US, U/S): diagnostic technique that projects and retrieves high-frequency sound waves as they echo off parts of the body
73.
upper GI series (UGI): procedure that involves oral ingestion of barium sulfate so that the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum can be visualized
74.
uptake: rate of absorption of a radionuclide into an organ or tissue
75.
ventilation studies: inhalation of a gas or aerosol which fills the alveoli of the lungs
76.
ventilation-perfusion studies: radiopharmaceutical is inhaled (ventilation) and injected intravenously (perfusion) followed by imaging its passage through the respiratory tract
