Introduction to Imaging and

Radiologic
Sciences
Radiologic Technology VS Radiology
Radiologic technology is the technical science that deals with the use of x-rays or
radioactive substances for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in medicine. Radiologic
technologist (RT) is a general term applied to persons qualified to use x-rays (radiography) or
radioactive substances (nuclear medicine) to produce images of the internal parts of the body
for interpretation by a physician known as a radiologist. Radiologic technology also involves
the use of x-rays or radioactive substances in the treatment of disease (radiation therapy).
In addition to using x-rays and radioactive substances, RTs are also involved in using high
frequency sound waves (diagnostic medical sonography) and magnetic fields and radio waves
(MRI) to create images of the internal anatomy of the body.
Radiology is a branch of medicine that uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat
disease. Radiology may be divided into two different areas, diagnostic radiology and
interventional radiology. Doctors who specialize in radiology are called radiologists
In simplest terms, radiology is a branch of medicine and radiography is the type of
technology radiologists employ to do their jobs.
Radiology is the diagnosis and treatment of diseases while radiography is the production of
images of body organs which form as the basis for radiologists in the diagnosis and treatment
of certain ailments.
MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES
When the term radiation is used, it generally evokes concern and a sense of danger. This circumstance
is unfortunate because radiation not only is helpful but also is essential to life.

Radiation is energy that is transmitted by waves through space or through a medium (matter); it has
permeated the universe since the beginning of time and is a natural part of all of our lives. For example,
the sun radiates light energy, and a stove radiates heat energy.

Energy is the capacity to operate or work. The many different forms of energy include mechanical,
electrical, heat, nuclear, and electromagnetic energy. Many forms of energy are used in medicine to
create images of anatomic structures or physiologic actions. These images are essential for the proper
diagnosis of disease and treatment of the patient. All of these energy forms can be described as
radiation because they can be, and in many instances must be, transmitted through matter.

Some higher energy forms, including x-rays, have the ability to ionize atoms in matter. Ionization is
any process by which a neutral atom gains or loses an electron, thus acquiring a net charge. This
process has the ability to disrupt the composition of the matter and, as a result, is capable of disrupting
life processes. Special protection should be provided to prevent excessive exposure to ionizing
radiation.

Sound is a form of mechanical energy. It is transmitted through matter, and images of the returning
sound waves can be created. Diagnostic medical sonography is the field of study that creates anatomic
images by recording reflected sound waves. Sound waves are a form of nonionizing radiation.

Electrocardiography and electroencephalography are methods of imaging the electrical activities of the
heart and of the brain, respectively. The graphs they produce provide useful information about the
physiologic activities of these organs.
Nuclear energy is emitted by the nucleus of an atom. Nuclear medicine technology
uses this type of energy to create images of both anatomic structures and
physiologic actions. It involves the introduction of a radioactive substance into the
body for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. These substances emit gamma
radiation from their nuclei. Gamma radiation is a form of electromagnetic energy
that has the ability to ionize atoms. As a result, proper radiation protection is
important in the nuclear medicine department.

Electromagnetic energy has many forms (Fig. 1-1). Many of these forms are used
in medicine to deliver high-quality patient care. For example, light is an essential
energy form in many of the scopes used by physicians to view inside the body. In
addition, x-rays are a manmade form of electromagnetic energy. They are created
when electrons moving at high speed are suddenly stopped. X-rays, also called
roentgen rays, named after their discoverer, Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, allow
physicians to visualize many of the anatomic structures that were once visible only
at surgery.
Radiography is the making of records, known as radiographs,
of internal structures of the body by passage of x-rays or
gamma rays through the body to act on, historically, specially
sensitized film or, most commonly, on a digital imaging plate
or detector. In the diagnostic radiography department,
images are created using x-rays that pass through the body
(Fig. 1-2). In addition, very high- energy x-rays are used in
the radiation therapy department for the treatment of many
forms of cancer. In both of these departments, proper
radiation protection is essential.
Medical radiation science involves the study of the use of
radiation throughout medicine. The fact that many forms of
radiation are used in all branches of medicine should be
apparent. Because many laypeople assume that the terms
radiation and ionizing radiation are used interchangeably, the
term imaging sciences has been preferred to the term
radiation or radiologic sciences in areas that use a
nonionizing form of radiation such as diagnostic medical
sonography and MRI. And, because radiation therapy is
primarily involved in treatment and not imaging, the term
imaging sciences alone is not encompassing enough.
History of Radiologic Technology
The field of radiologic technology began on November 8, 1895, when
Wilhelm Röntgen, a German physicist, was working in his laboratory at the
University of Wurzburg. Röntgen had been experimenting with cathode rays and
was exploring their properties outside glass tubes. He had covered the glass tube to
prevent any visible light from escaping. During this work, Röntgen observed that a
screen that had been painted with barium platinocyanide was emitting light
(fluorescing). This effect had to be caused by invisible rays being emitted from the
tube. During the next several weeks, Röntgen investigated these invisible rays.
During his investigation, he saw the very first radiographic image—his own
skeleton. Röntgen became the first radiographer when he produced a series of
photographs of radiographic images, most notably the image of his wife's hand (Fig.
1-4). He termed these invisible rays x-rays because x is the symbol for an unknown
variable.
Wilhelm Röntgen was born in Lennep, Germany, on March 27, 1845. In 1872,
he married Anna Bertha Ludwig (1839-1919), and they had one adopted daughter.
In 1888, Röntgen began working at the University of Wurzburg in the physics
department. During the 1870s and 1880s, many physics departments were
experimenting with cathode rays, electrons emanating from the negative (cathode)
terminal of a tube. During his discovery, Röntgen worked with a Crookes tube. Sir
William Crookes (1832-1919) used a large, partially evacuated glass tube that
encompassed a cathode and an anode attached to an electrical supply. His tube was
the early version of the modern fluorescent light. Crookes actually produced x-rays
during his experimentation in the 1870s but failed to grasp the significance of his
finding. He often found that photographic plates stored near his worktable were
fogged. He even returned fogged photographic plates to the manufacturer, claiming
they were defective. Many physicists created x-rays during the course of their work
with cathode rays, but Röntgen was the first to appreciate the significance of the
penetrating rays.
 The actual day that the significance of Röntgen's finding became clear to
him is the subject of much debate. However, Friday, November 8, 1895, is
believed by historians to be the day that Röntgen created the famous image of
his wife's hand (see Fig. 1-4). On Saturday, December 28, 1895, Röntgen
submitted his first report, titled On a New Kind of Rays, to the Wurzburg
Physico-Medical Society. Through his investigative methods, Röntgen identified
the properties of x-rays. His methods were so thorough that no significant
additions have been made to his work.
For his efforts, Röntgen was honored in 1901 with the first Nobel Prize in
physics. He refused to patent any part of his discovery and rejected many
commercial company offers. As a result, he saw little financial reward for his
work. He died on February 10, 1923, of colon cancer.
Throughout the twentieth century, the use of x-rays advanced significantly
to include the imaging of almost all aspects of the human body and the treatment
of diseases with radiation therapy. In addition, radioactive substances came into
use for both imaging (nuclear medicine) and treatment. By the 1970s, imaging
had further advanced to include diagnostic medical sonography, computed
tomography (CT), and MRI. Today, through the use of hybrid scanners that
combine nuclear medicine imaging with either CT or MRI, both anatomic and
physiologic function can be assessed in a single examination.