Give two ways in which X-Rays are used in hospitals.
- To destroy tumours at or near the body surface.
Why are X-rays dangerous?
X-rays damage living tissue when they pass through.
What is the absorption of X-rays like when passing through the body?
X-rays are absorbed more by bones and teeth (ie. dense materials) than softer tissues.
What is a CT scan?
CT scans distinguish between different types of soft tissue as well as between bone and soft tissue.
What are X-rays?
Electromagnetic waves with a short wavelength.
How are X-rays produced?
How are radiographs produced?
How is a radiograph of an organ produced?
-The patient consumes a contrast medium such as barium which absorbs X-rays easily.
How are patients protected from the X-rays?
The parts not being scanned are covered by lead plates meaning X-rays only pass to the necessary area.
How are digital X-ray images produced?
How are X-rays dangerous?
What is used to warn workers of X-rays?
Film badges show when the worker has been overexposed to radiation. A dosimeter.
How does a CT scanner work?
Give three advantages of CT scanners.
Give two disadvantages of CT scanners.
- CT equipment is very expensive.
Give three advantages of X-ray machines.
What are ultrasound waves?
Sound waves above 20,000Hz.
What are ultrasound waves used for in medicine?
Ultrasonic scanning and destroying kidney stones.
Why can ultrasound waves be used to scan the body?
Ultrasound waves are partially reflected at a boundary between two different types of tissue.
Why is an ultrasound scan safer than X-ray?
An ultrasound scan is non-ionising.
What is a transducer?
The part of the ultrasound machine that produces and detects ultrasound waves.
What happens each pulse from the transducer?
Give two advantages of using ultrasound.
- It can be used to scan organs and soft tissue.
What is an A-scan?
Measuring the length of an eyeball using ultrasound.