There are a few different tools that are used to see inside the human body.
X-ray: X-rays are high-energy beams of radiation that can pass through solid objects, such as bone, allowing healthcare providers to see bone fractures and other skeletal problems. X-rays are sometimes used to diagnose issues with organs and other structures such as the lungs, heart, and stomach.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound is an imaging technology that uses sound waves to create a visual image of the inside of the body. These images are often used to look at organs (such as the kidney, liver, and spleen), check on the health of a baby in the womb, and to assess blood flow in major vessels.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): MRI is an imaging technique that uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the inside of the body. MRI can be used to look at organs, tissues, and tendons, to diagnose a variety of disorders, and to monitor the progression of diseases.
Computed Tomography (CT): CT is an imaging technique that uses x-rays and computers to create detailed images of the inside of the body. CT scans can be used to look at organs and structures, such as the heart and brain, to diagnose a variety of diseases.
Positron Emission Tomography (PET): PET is an imaging technique that uses radioactive glucose to create images of the body's organs, tissues, and other structures. PET scans can be used to diagnose certain diseases, detect certain types of cancer, and monitor the progress of certain treatments.
These are just a few of the tools used to see inside the human body. Healthcare providers also use a variety of other imaging techniques, such as angiography, myelography, and nuclear imaging, to diagnose and treat a variety of conditions.
For more information about these imaging techniques and how they are used, please visit the American College of Radiology’s website: https://www.acr.org/Patients/What-is-Radiology/Imaging-Procedures
