Sasha Bennett & Natalie Rochette

 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

 A form of electromagnetic radiation  Wavelength in the form of 10 to 0.01 nanometers  It is shorter in wavelength than UV rays

 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 bones Provides information about obstructions, tumors, and other diseases. Examination of baggage in airports. Industrial Uses

 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.