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x-ray

x-rays are a form of radiation, like light or radio waves, that can be focused into a beam, much like a flashlight beam. unlike a beam of light, though, x-rays can pass through most objects, including the human body.

when x-rays strike a piece of photographic film, they can produce a picture. dense tissues in the body, such as bones, block (absorb) many of the x-rays and appear white on an x-ray picture. less dense tissues, such as muscles and organs, block fewer of the x-rays (more of the x-rays pass through) and appear in shades of grey. x-rays that pass only through air appear black on an x-ray picture.

many centres are changing from film to using computers for digital pictures.

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