Abstract

Medical imaging is the component of the emerging discipline called imaging science and is concerned with the application of nonsurgical techniques to produce images of the organs and tissues inside the human body. The many technologies applied to produce medical images take advantage of the basic imaging principles of absorption, emission, and reflection of energy by tissues. The principal medical imaging modalities include endoscopy, x-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, and nuclear imaging. These technologies have extended the frontiers of medicine into areas such as mapping brain function. Technological advances in computers, electronics, and magnetics have aided in the development of medical imaging. The theory and specialized equipment of each technique is presented. Application and safety issues are addressed.