This is a glossary about Diagnostic Imaging. I’m 18 years old and I’m a student in Diagnostic Imaging. I made this glossary to help people like me who might be studying in this field or just looking to get more information about this subject to be able to have a quick and simple resource. This glossary is really helpful because it allows people to look for a precise and detailed subject which is Diagnostic Imaging.
Angiogram
Noun
An X-ray photographs of blood or lymph vessels, made by an angiography.
Example: There’s an issue regarding his lymph vessels we’re going to have to do an angiogram.
fr: Angiographie
anticoagulant therapy
Noun
The use of anticoagulant drugs (blood-thinners) to treat blood clots, including those due to pulmonary embolism and deep venous thrombosis in the calf.
Example: Some type of illness require an anticoagulant therapy to help maintain the patient stable.
fr: thérapie anticoagulante
artifact
Noun
Something artificial that appears on a medical image but is not a part of the living tissue being examined. The image distortion could be due to an obstruction, such as a surgical metal clip, or to a problem with the imaging equipment.
Example: There was an artifact on this image we’re going to have to do another one.
fr: Artéfact
Bone
Noun
A bone is a rigid tissue that constitutes part of the vertebrate skeleton in animals. Bones protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells, store minerals, provide structure and support for the body, and enable mobility.
Example: I heard drinking milk is good for your bones.
fr: Os
collimator
Noun
A device used in proton therapy to narrow the beam of particles being delivered to cancerous tissue.
Example: We need to reduce the collimator to irradiate as less tissue as possible.
fr: Collimateur
computed tomography
Noun
A form of tomography in which a computer controls the motion of the X-ray source and detectors, processes the data, and produces the image.
Example: A computed tomography is necessary in this patient’s case since there is an issue with his organs.
fr: tomodensitométrie
craniofacial
Adjective
Relating to the face and the cranium (skull that protects the brain).
Example: This was a craniofacial Diagnostic Imaging.
fr: craniocaudal
density
Noun
Thickness or mass.
Example: The density of the individual is very big.
fr: densité
Diagnosis
Noun
The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
Example: My friend received a sad diagnosis, unfortunately she’s sick.
fr: Diagnostic
Diagnostic imaging table
Noun
A Diagnostic Imaging table is a table where the tests take place.
Example: The diagnostic Imaging table is not really comfortable.
fr: Table de radiodiagnostic
diaphragm
Noun
The dividing membrane between the chest and abdominal cavity which is a muscle.
Example: The human body has a lot of different muscles including the diaphragm.
fr: diaphragme
ferromagnetic
Adjective
The presence of metallic iron or of the divalent ion Fe2+ that possesses magnetism.
Example: This field is very ferromagnetic.
fr: ferromagnétique
Fracture
Noun
A fracture is a break, usually in a bone. If the broken bone punctures the skin, it is called an open or compound fracture. Fractures commonly happen because of car accidents, falls, or sports injuries. Other causes are low bone density and osteoporosis, which cause weakening of the bones.
Example: I fell down the stairs and fractured my wrist.
fr: Fracture
Mammography
Noun
Mammography is the process of using low-energy X-rays to examine the human breast for diagnosis and screening.
Example: We suspect this patient might have a breast cancer that’s why a mammography is needed.
fr: Mammographie
pathology
Noun
The study of disease processes.
Example: The doctor’s are looking for a pathology.
fr: Pathologie
saline
Adjective
Salt water
Example: I heard salt water is really good for your teeth.
fr: Saline
Scan
Noun
Cause (a surface, object, or part of the body) to be traversed by a detector or an electromagnetic beam.
Example: This little boy is going to need a scan since he suffered from brain damage.
fr: Analyse
technologist
Noun
One trained in and using the techniques of a profession, art, or science.
Example: A technologist mainly assist a doctor in an operation room.
fr: technologue
Waiting room
Noun
A room provided for the use of people who are waiting to be seen by a doctor or dentist or who are waiting in a station for a bus or train.
Example: I have to wait patiently in the waiting room while my mom goes in for a mammography.
fr: Salle d’attente
X-Ray
Noun
A photographic or digital image of the internal composition of something, especially a part of the body, produced by X-rays being passed through it and being absorbed to different degrees by different materials.
Example: The x-ray revealed a bone fracture near the ankles.
