This is the most commonly performed investigation for assessing injured limbs or examining the chest for possible infection.

An x-ray image is produced when a small amount of radiation passes through the body and strikes a sheet of sensitive film placed on the other side of the body.

The ability of x-rays to penetrate tissues and bones varies according to the tissue's composition and mass. Bone, which contains calcium, does not let much radiation through and results in white images on the x-ray film. The lungs, which are filled with air, allow nearly all x-rays to strike the film resulting in a black film image.

You will not feel any discomfort during the procedure.

Patient Preparation

No preparation is required for general x-ray.

Content provided by GCMI, a member of the I-MED Network