An x-ray (radiograph) is a relatively painless medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. Radiography involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of ionizing radiation to produce pictures of the inside of the body. X-rays are the oldest and most frequently used form of medical imaging. When x-rays penetrate the body, they are absorbed in varying amounts by different tissues.
For example, ribs are dense and will block much of the radiation and will appear white or light gray on the image. Soft tissue such as the lungs will appear darker because more radiation can pass through it to expose the film. Nemaha County Hospital uses digital radiography and images are viewed via computer monitors. Exams can also be transferred onto a CD for easy patient transport.
