Medical Imaging Essentials and Human Anatomy

Posted on Jul 13, 2025 in Medicine & Health

Diagnostic Radiology Fundamentals

Responsibilities in Diagnostic Imaging

  • Perform diagnostic imaging examinations and radiation therapy treatments.
  • Explain procedures, position patients on the examining table, and adjust immobilization devices to obtain optimal views of specific body areas.
  • Utilize radiation safety techniques.

Understanding Collimation

Collimation is the process of adjusting the X-ray beam to the anatomic area appropriate for the procedure.

Professions in Diagnostic Radiology

  • Radiologist
  • Diagnostic Medical Physicist
  • Radiologist Assistant
  • Radiologic Nurse
  • Radiologic Technologist

Applications of Fluoroscopy

  • Barium X-rays and enemas: To view the gastrointestinal tract.
  • Catheter insertion and manipulation: To direct the movement of a catheter through blood vessels, bile ducts, or the urinary system.
  • Placement of devices within the body, such as stents: To open narrowed or blocked blood vessels.
  • Angiograms: To visualize blood vessels and organs.
  • Orthopedic surgery: To guide joint replacements and treatment of fractures.

Contrast Agents in Medical Imaging

Contrast (imaging) agents, often referred to as “dyes,” are used in techniques like CT scans. They can be administered by mouth, injected into a vein, or given as an enema before the procedure. These agents highlight specific areas inside the body, resulting in clearer pictures.

Examples of Contrast Dyes Used in CT:

  • Iodine
  • Barium

Medical Terminology and Vocabulary

Fill in the Gaps Exercise

Fill in the gaps using the following words: Vessels, devices, fractures, joint, bile, beam, contrast, gastrointestinal, stents, urinary

Fluoroscopy is a type of medical imaging that shows a continuous X-ray image on a monitor. An X-ray beam is passed through the body. The image is transmitted to a monitor so the movement of a body part or of an instrument or contrast agent (“X-ray dye”) through the body can be seen in detail.

Fluoroscopy Applications (Review)

  • Barium X-rays and enemas (to view the gastrointestinal tract)
  • Catheter insertion and manipulation (to direct the movement of a catheter through blood vessels, bile ducts or the urinary system)
  • Placement of devices within the body, such as stents (to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels)
  • Angiograms (to visualize blood vessels and organs)
  • Orthopedic surgery (to guide joint replacements and treatment of fractures)

Human Anatomy: Skeletal and Organ Systems

Major Skeletal Bones

  1. Skull
  2. Mandible
  3. Clavicle
  4. Scapula
  5. Sternum
  6. Humerus
  7. Radius
  8. Ulna
  9. Ribs
  10. Spine
  11. Carpals
  12. Metacarpals
  13. Pelvis
  14. Phalanges
  15. Femur
  16. Patella
  17. Fibula
  18. Tibia
  19. Tarsals
  20. Metatarsals
  21. Phalanges

Abdominal Organ Locations

  • Left Side: Esophagus, Gallbladder, Colon, Small Intestine, Appendix
  • Right Side: Stomach, Pancreas, Large Intestine, Rectum

English Grammar: Verb Tenses Practice

A: Did you like the movie “Star Wars?”

B: I don’t know. I (see, never) have never seen that movie.

Stinson is a fantastic writer. He (write) has written very creative short stories in the last year. One day, he’ll be as famous as Hemingway.

Things (change) have changed a great deal at Coltech, Inc. When we first (start) started working here three years ago, the company (have, only) had six employees. Since then, we (expand) have expanded to include more than 2000 full-time workers.

I (visit, never) have never visited Africa, but I (travel) have traveled to South America several times. The last time I (go) went to South America, I (visit) visited Brazil and Peru. I (spend) spent two weeks in the Amazon, (hike) hiked for a week near Machu Picchu, and (fly) flew over the Nazca Lines.