A computerized axial tomography scan is more commonly known by its abbreviated name, CT scan. It is an X-ray procedure which combines many X-ray images with the aid of a computer to create cross-sectional pictures of the body and, if needed, three-dimensional images of the internal organs or structures of the body. This type of scan is useful in defining normal and abnormal structures in the body and can assist in procedures by helping to accurately guide the placement of instruments or treatments.
A large donut-shaped X-ray machine takes X-ray images at many frequent angles around the body. A computer processes these images to create cross-sectional pictures (slices) of the body. In each of these pictures the body is seen as an X-ray “slice” of the body which is recorded on a film or in a computer. The body is seen from the skin to the central part of the body being examined (similar to looking at a slice of bread where the entire surface of that slice is seen from crust to the center). This recorded image is called a tomogram. Computerized Axial Tomography (CT) refers to the recorded tomogram “sections” at different levels of the body. When these images are added together, a three-dimensional picture of the organ or body structure can be obtained. |
