X-Ray

An X-ray (radiograph) is an image of an area of the body captured using electromagnetic energy beams in the form of ionizing radiation to produce images onto film or computer. X-rays are the original and most frequently used form of diagnostic medical imaging and were first discovered by German scientist, Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895. In an X-ray, images are formed from the differences in density of the tissues that absorb a beam of electrons traveling through the body. These images are captured digitally in the form of a radiograph.

Today, a diagnostic X-ray exam is one of the fastest and easiest exams enabling a physician to view the internal organs and conditions of bones. X-rays has come a long way from the 90 minutes of imaging time it used to take to produce studies to mere fractions of a minute. Learn more about the history of the X-ray here.