What is an x-ray, and why is it necessary?
X-rays help diagnose disease and injury to the body or rule out certain potential problems. Depending on which part of the body is being studied, an x-ray can take on different forms, with varying equipment and patient requirements.

X-rays can be used to study the body from head to toe, including:

• Head
• Teeth
• Chest
• Digestive system (throat, stomach, intestines, colon, rectum)
• Urinary system (kidneys, ureters, bladder)
• Bones and joints

Fluoroscopy, or a moving x-ray, is a specialized type of diagnostic x-ray that uses a continuous x-ray beam to evaluate the body and its organs in real time. Often, fluoroscopy procedures require the use of a contrast agent, such as barium or an iodinated dye. The contrast agent is given orally, rectally, intra-articularly or into the uterus, depending on the type of exam.

For more information on x-ray, see the x-ray section on RadiologyInfo.

what is an x-ray?
how does an x-ray work?
what can i expect?