X ray

/ɛks reɪ/

Other forms: X rays

Definitions of X ray

1. noun

   electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength produced when high-speed electrons strike a solid target
   synonyms: X-radiation, X-ray, roentgen ray, x-ray

   type of:

   ionizing radiation

   high-energy radiation capable of producing ionization in substances through which it passes

   electromagnetic radiation, electromagnetic wave, nonparticulate radiation

   radiation consisting of waves of energy associated with electric and magnetic fields resulting from the acceleration of an electric charge
2. noun

   a radiogram made by exposing photographic film to X rays; used in medical diagnosis
   synonyms: X-ray, X-ray photograph, X-ray picture, roentgenogram, x-ray

   types:

   angiocardiogram

   a series of X rays representing the action of the heart and its blood vessels after the injection of a radiopaque substance

   angiogram

   an X-ray representation of blood vessels made after the injection of a radiopaque substance

   arteriogram

   an X ray of an artery filled with a contrast medium

   arthrogram

   an X ray of a joint after the injection of a contrast medium

   encephalogram, pneumoencephalogram

   an X ray of the brain made by replacing spinal fluid with a gas (usually oxygen) to improve contrast

   hysterosalpingogram

   X ray of the uterus and Fallopian tubes; usually done in diagnosing infertility (to see if there any blockages)

   mammogram

   X-ray film of the soft tissue of the breast

   myelogram

   X-ray film of the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots and subarachnoid space

   pyelogram

   an X ray of the kidneys and ureters

   phlebogram, venogram

   an X ray of a vein injected with a radiopaque contrast medium

   IVP, intravenous pyelogram

   X-ray picture of the kidneys and ureters after injection of a radiopaque dye

   lymphangiogram

   an angiogram of the lymph nodes and lymph vessels made after the injection of a radiopaque substance

   type of:

   radiogram, radiograph, shadowgraph, skiagram, skiagraph

   a photographic image produced on a radiosensitive surface by radiation other than visible light (especially by X-rays or gamma rays)