Radiographic

Radiographic refers to procedures and imaging techniques that use ionizing radiation, primarily X-rays, to visualize internal structures of the body. Radiography is a cornerstone of diagnostic imaging in medicine and dentistry, providing two-dimensional representations of anatomy.

In radiography, an X-ray beam passes through the patient and is attenuated by different tissues to varying degrees. A detector or photographic film records the transmitted radiation, producing a grayscale image. Dense tissues such as bone absorb more X-rays and appear white (radiopaque), while air and gases appear black (radiolucent). Soft tissues produce intermediate shades of gray. Image quality depends on factors including exposure, positioning, and detector technology.

Common radiographic modalities include conventional radiography, fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray imaging), mammography (breast imaging with specialized technique and compression), and dental radiography (intraoral and panoramic views). Modern systems often use digital detectors, including computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR), with images stored in digital formats such as DICOM.

Safety is a central consideration in radiography due to ionizing radiation. Practices follow the ALARA principle (as low as reasonably achievable), with shielding, proper technique, and justification for each exam. Providers include radiologic technologists who perform the studies and radiologists who interpret them.

Limitations of radiography include its two-dimensional nature and the potential for overlapping structures, which can obscure pathology. It is frequently complemented by other imaging modalities such as computed tomography, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging when more detail or functional information is required.