Tomography, computerized axial

Tomography, computerized axial
Pictures of structures within the body created by a computer that takes the data from multiple X-ray images and turns them in pictures. The CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan can reveal some soft-tissue and other structures that cannot be seen in conventional X-rays. Using the same dosage of radiation as that of an ordinary X-ray machine, an entire slice of the body can be made visible with about 100 times more clarity with the CAT scan. The "cuts"(tomograms) for the CAT scan are usually made 5 or 10 mm apart. The CAT machine rotates 180 degrees around the patient's body; hence, the term "axial." The machine sends out a thin X-ray beam at 160 different points. Crystals positioned at the opposite points of the beam pick up and record the absorption rates of the varying thicknesses of tissue and bone. The data are then relayed to a computer that turns the information into a 2-dimensional cross-sectional image. CAT scanning was invented in 1972 by the British engineer Godfrey N. Hounsfield (later Sir Godfrey) and the South African (later American) physicist Alan Cormack. CAT scanning was already in general use by 1979, the year Hounsfield and Cormack were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology for its development. The CAT scan is also known as the CT (computerized tomography) scan.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • computerized axial tomography — the process of producing a CAT scan. Also called computed tomography, computer assisted tomography, computerized tomography. Cf. CAT scanner. [1970 75] * * *        diagnostic imaging method using a low dose beam of X rays that crosses the body… …   Universalium

  • Axial tomography, computerized — Pictures of structures within the body created by a computer that takes the data from multiple X ray images and turns them in pictures. The CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan can reveal some soft tissue and other structures that cannot be… …   Medical dictionary

  • Computerized axial tomography scan — Pictures of structures within the body created by a computer that takes the data from multiple X ray images and turns them in pictures. The CAT (computerized axial tomography) scan can reveal some soft tissue and other structures that cannot be… …   Medical dictionary

  • computerized axial tomography scanner — noun a tomograph that constructs a 3 D model of an object by combining parallel planes • Syn: ↑CAT scanner • Hypernyms: ↑tomograph * * * computed axial tomography scanner or computerized axial tomography scanner noun A machine which produces X… …   Useful english dictionary

  • computerized axial tomography technologist — kompiuterizuotos tomografijos technologas statusas T sritis profesijos apibrėžtis Technologas, kuris specializuojasi rentgenologinės diagnostikos srityje ir gali atlikti tomodensitometrinius tyrimus tomodensitometru medicininėms nuotraukoms gauti …   Inžinieriai, technikai ir technologai. Trikalbis aiškinamasis žodynėlis

  • Tomography, computerized — Pictures of structures within the body created by a computer that takes the data from multiple X ray images and turns them in pictures. The computerized tomography (CT) scan can reveal some soft tissue and other structures that cannot be seen in… …   Medical dictionary

  • computerized axial tomography — noun a method of examining body organs by scanning them with X rays and using a computer to construct a series of cross sectional scans along a single axis • Syn: ↑computerized tomography, ↑computed tomography, ↑CT, ↑computed axial tomography,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • computerized axial tomography scan — A series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body taken from different angles. The pictures are created by a computer linked to an x ray machine. Also called CAT scan, computed tomography scan, CT scan, and computerized tomography …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • computerized axial tomography — com·pu·ter·ized axial tomography kəm .pyüt ə .rīzd n COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY abbr. CAT …   Medical dictionary

  • computerized axial tomography — noun see computed tomography …   New Collegiate Dictionary

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