X-Rays

X-Rays are a safe and effective methos of capturing images of the body's organs and bones.

X-rays are a form of radiation that can pass through solid and semi-solid substances in carefully controlled doses, they can be used to sapture images of the body's internal structures.

It is a safe and painless procedure, often used to produce images of the inside of the body.

It's an effective way of looking at fractured bones. It can also be used to examine organs and identify problems. X-rays are also ofteh used during theraputic procedures, such as a coronary angioplasty, to help the surgeon guide equipment to the area being treated.

X-rays are a type of radiation (electromagnetic).

Light and X-rays are similar sources of energy. However, light has a much lower frequency than x-rays and is absorbed by the skin. They have a higher frequency and pass through the human body. As they pass through the body, energy particles in the rays show up as clear white areas. 

The parts of the body that are made of softer material, such as your heart and lungs, show up as darker areas.

X-rays are carried out by radiographers who are healthcare profesionals trained to use imaging technology, including x-ray machines, computerised tomography (CT) scanners ans ultrasound scanners.

During an x-ray you will be asked to lie on a table or stand against a flat surface so that the part of your body being examined is positioned between the x-ray machine and a photographic plate.

The x-ray will last for a fraction of a second. As the x-rays hit the photographic plate, the plate captures a snapshot of the image.

The resulting image will be transferred to a computer so it can be studied on a screen and printed out if necessary.

Exposure to high levels of radiation can be very harmful. However, the x-rays used for medical purposes are safe because the dose of rasiation is very small.

The strength of radiation in relation to long-term risk is measured using units called millisieverts (mSv).