X-Ray

Since its accidental discovery in 1896, the X-ray has been a vital diagnostic and therapeutic tool. Produced by bombarding a target made of tungsten with high-speed electrons, X-rays are absorbed by dense bone and pass through the soft tissue of internal organs. On a photographic plate, bone appears white and soft tissues appear grey. While diagnostic dental and medical X-rays are low-intensity beams, high-intensity X-rays, capable of destroying tissue, are used in the treatment of tumours. Rapidly dividing cancerous cells are especially vulnerable to X-rays.

Omikron/Science Source/Photo Researchers, Inc.

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X-Ray; Medicine

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