3a.1 - X-Rays in Medicine Flashcards
What is an X-Ray?
High frequency, short wavelength electromagnetic wave
Why do X-Rays work?
They are transmitted by healthy tissue and absorbed by denser materials like bones and metals
What forms an X-Ray image?
Charge-Coupled device (CCD’s)
How do CCD’s work?
They detect X-Rays and produce electronic signals which are used to form high resolution pictures
What do CT scans use?
X-Rays
What can CT scans produce high definition images of?
Soft and hard tissue
Explain how X-Rays can be used to treat cancer cells (3)
- The X-Rays are focused on the tumour using a wide beam
- The beam is rotated around the patient with the tumour in the centre
- This reduces the damage to normal cells
What is an ultrasound?
A sound wave that is higher than the upper bound of human hearing
What is the range of human hearing?
20 to 20,000 Hz
What is partial reflection?
When a wave passes from one medium into another, some of the wave is reflected off the boundary between the two media, and some is transmitted
What are ultrasound waves used for? (2)
- Breaking down kidney stones
- Pre-natal scanning
What are oscilloscope traces used to find?
Boundaries between two mediums
