---
title: "X-ray"
url: https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/x/x-ray/
description: "In medicine, \"imaging\" is the term used for any method to take pictures of bones and organs inside the body. Many imaging modalities use x-ray radiation..."
---

# X-ray

In medicine, "imaging" is the term used for any method to take pictures of bones and organs inside the body. Many imaging modalities use x-ray radiation whichcan help your health care provider find the cause of a medical problem. For example, x-rays may be used to find a tumor, kidney stones, or a developmental problem.

Archived from the 2024 edition

## Overview

An x-ray (or conventional radiology) is a form of radiation produced by special machines that take pictures of the inside of your body. Structures that are dense, like bones, look white on the film. Structures that contain air, like your lungs, look black. Muscle, fat and fluid appear as different shades of gray.

Since soft tissues, like the kidneys, ureters, and bladder are not easily seen with x-ray, contrast agents or dyes can be used to help identify those structures. These dyes are injected directly into the organ or into a vein before the x-ray is taken. The dye helps your doctors see the shape of the urinary tract and soft tissue organs better on film.

## In this entry

The archived page carried these sections, in this order.

- Procedure
- Risks
- More Information
- What are the dangers of an x-ray test?
- Explore Further

## Other entries in Tests, Imaging and Procedures

- [Angiography](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/a_/angiography/)
- [Biopsy](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/b/biopsy/)
- [Complete Blood Count (CBC)](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/complete-blood-count-(cbc)/)
- [Contrast and Radionuclide Cystography](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/contrast-and-radionuclide-cystography/)
- [CT Scan](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/ct-scan/)
- [Cystometry](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/cystometry/)
- [Cystoscopy](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/c/cystoscopy/)
- [Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/m/magnetic-resonance-imaging-(mri)/)

### Source of this entry

- Original address**/urology-a-z/x/x-ray/**
- Edition**2024 edition**
- Group**Tests, Imaging and Procedures**

### This is not medical advice

These pages are archived reference copies of material published on this domain. They are not medical advice, not a diagnosis and not a substitute for talking with a health professional.

### Related topics

- [About OAB](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/its-time-to-talk-about-oab/about-oab/)
- [Overactive Bladder: Patient Guide](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/overactive-bladder/)
- [Urologic Conditions](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urologic-conditions/)
- [Educational Materials](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/educational-materials/)

[Back to Urology A-Z: X](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/x/)

[Back to the full A-Z](https://itstimetotalkaboutoab.org/urology-a-z/)