Appendix A: Radiographic Principles

Conventional X-ray studies, such as chest X-rays (CXR) or an X-ray of the hand, as well as computed tomography (CT) all use X-ray radiation. X-rays are similar to light in that both are forms of energy that propagate as waves. They differ in that X-rays have much shorter wavelengths that are capable of penetrating many substances that light waves cannot. You are not required to know the physics of X-ray energy or how Xray beams interact with a screen to produce the ‘film’ image for the purposes of your Human Anatomy course (INMD 6150). However it is important that you familiarize yourself with the types of tissues that differentially absorb or scatter X-rays because it is your job as students of anatomy to know all anatomical relations in your cadaver and how selected relations can be identified radiologically.