A term for anything that is almost transparent to radiation, especially to X-rays and gamma radiation.
adj. having the property of being transparent to X-rays (i.e. allowing X-rays to pass through). Radiopacity (blocking X-rays) decreases with atomic number of the element. Radiolucent materials, such as beryllium, are used to construct windows in X-ray tubes to allow the X-rays to escape from the tube. Gases are relatively radiolucent to X-rays and can be used as a negative *contrast medium in X-ray examinations, e.g. in *double-contrast barium examinations of the bowel or carbon dioxide *arteriography.
n. an imaging technique for examining joints. A contrast medium (either *radiolucent gas or a *radiopaque material) is injected into the joint space, outlining its contents and extent accurately. Conventional arthrography has now largely been replaced by magnetic resonance arthrography (MR arthrography; see magnetic resonance imaging).... arthrography
n. the study of the breast by imaging techniques, most commonly X-rays. The breast is usually compressed between radiolucent plates before being exposed to relatively low-energy X-rays to emphasize differences in the soft tissues. Mammography is mainly concerned with the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer.... mammography
n. softening of the bones due to inadequate mineralization: it is the adult counterpart of *rickets. Causes include insufficient calcium absorption from the intestine due to dietary deficiency or vitamin D deficiency, the latter resulting from lack of sunshine, intestinal malabsorption, liver or kidney disease, or anticonvulsant medication. The most common symptoms are bone pain, backache, and muscle weakness. The characteristic X-ray finding is a thin transverse radiolucent band (a Looser zone) in an otherwise normal-looking bone. Treatment usually involves large doses of vitamin D.... osteomalacia
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