Medical Flashcards
CAT SCAN
What does it stand for?
C_
A_
T_
CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography)
scan
CAT SCAN
How does it work?
takes x-ray slices of the brain;
CAT SCAN
Why is it used?
used to diagnose a stroke
EEG
What does it stand for?
E
E
G
(Electroencephalogram)
EEG
How does it work?
detect electrical currents in the brain;
EEG
Why is it used?
used to diagnose dementia and epilepsy
PET
What does it stand for?
P
E
T
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan
positrons are the antimatter counterparts of electrons
PET
How does it work?
detect brain activity through emitted gamma rays, visible as a result of an injection of radioactive glucose;
PET
Why is it used?
used to determine active and inactive areas of the brain
MRI
What does it stand for?
M
R
I
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
MRI
How does it work?
detect the energy of proton shifts in the body; different areas release different amounts of energy, which creates the image
MRI
Why is it used?
Nobody knows!
