Medical Radiology Glossary

The part of the body between the chest and pelvis. Contains organs like the stomach, liver, intestines, and kidneys.

Something that deviates from what is normal or expected. In radiology, findings that differ from healthy tissue.

A pocket of pus that forms due to infection. Appears as a fluid-filled cavity on imaging.

Recent or sudden onset. Describes conditions that develop quickly (opposite of chronic).

Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes, often indicating infection or disease.

The presence of air in tissue or organs. Normal in lungs, abnormal in other locations.

A horizontal line seen on imaging where air and fluid meet, often in abnormal collections.

Toward the front of the body (opposite of posterior).

The largest artery in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

An abnormal appearance on an image caused by the scanning process, not actual anatomy.

Breathing in foreign material (like food or liquid) into the lungs, or a procedure to remove fluid with a needle.

Partial collapse of the lung tissue, preventing normal air exchange.

Wasting away or decrease in size of tissue or organs.

How much X-rays are absorbed by tissue. Dense tissue (bone) shows high attenuation (bright), while air shows low attenuation (dark).

Cross-sectional images taken in a horizontal plane, like slicing bread.

Not cancerous. A benign growth is non-life-threatening.

On both sides of the body.

The soft, spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are produced.

The main air passages that branch from the trachea into the lungs.

Abnormal widening of the airways in the lungs, often from chronic infection.

Calcium deposits in tissue. Can be normal (aging) or indicate old injury, infection, or other conditions.

Enlargement of the heart.

An abnormal hollow space within tissue, often caused by infection or tissue death.

Located in the middle or center of a structure.

Long-standing or persistent condition (opposite of acute).

Scarring of the liver from long-term damage, often from alcohol or hepatitis.

Area of lung filled with fluid or solid material instead of air, usually from pneumonia.

A dye injected or swallowed to make certain tissues show up better on imaging.

A bruise - bleeding within tissue from injury.

Images taken from front to back, dividing the body into front and back portions.

Imaging using X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.

A fluid-filled sac. Usually benign and often harmless.

Breakdown or deterioration of tissue, often from aging or wear and tear.

How solid or compact tissue appears on imaging. High density = bright (bone), low density = dark (air).

Drying out of tissue. Common in spinal discs with aging.

Spread out over a large area rather than concentrated in one spot.

Farther away from the center of the body or point of attachment.

A small pouch that bulges out from the wall of the colon or other organs.

Swelling from fluid buildup in tissues.

Abnormal collection of fluid in a body space, like around the lungs (pleural effusion) or heart (pericardial effusion).

Lung condition where air sacs are damaged, making breathing difficult.

Brightening of tissue after contrast dye is given, indicating increased blood flow.

Wearing away of bone or tissue surface.

When disc material pushes completely through the outer disc wall (type of herniation).

Small joints between vertebrae in the spine that allow movement.

Abnormal fat deposits within an organ, usually the liver.

Thickening and scarring of tissue, often from chronic inflammation or injury.

A natural crack or split, like the divisions between lung lobes.

Concentrated in one specific area (opposite of diffuse).

An opening or hole through which nerves or blood vessels pass.

A break in bone.

Hardened deposits that form in the gallbladder.

The outer layer of the brain containing nerve cell bodies.

Hazy area in the lungs on CT scan that looks like frosted glass. Can indicate infection, inflammation, or other lung conditions.

A collection of blood outside blood vessels, usually from injury.

Bleeding.

Enlargement of the liver.

When an organ or tissue pushes through an abnormal opening. Common in spinal discs.

When part of the stomach pushes up through the diaphragm into the chest.

Related to the hilum - the area where blood vessels and airways enter/exit the lungs.

Appears brighter or whiter on MRI images.

Appears darker on CT scan, indicating lower density tissue.

Appears darker on MRI images.

The radiologist's summary and conclusion about the findings.

Death of tissue due to lack of blood supply (like a heart attack or stroke).

Abnormal substance (like fluid, cells, or infection) in tissue, especially lungs.

Body's response to injury or infection, causing redness, swelling, and pain.

The space between cells or structures, like the tissue between air sacs in lungs.

Inside the skull.

Reduced blood flow to tissue or organs.

Decreased distance between bones in a joint, usually from arthritis.

Hard mineral deposit that forms in the kidney.

A tear in tissue or organ, usually from trauma.

Toward the side of the body (opposite of medial).

Any abnormal area of tissue - can be benign or malignant.

A rounded section of an organ. Lungs have lobes (right lung has 3, left has 2).

An area that appears darker on X-ray, indicating less dense tissue or air.

Small bean-shaped structures that filter lymph fluid and fight infection.

Abnormally enlarged lymph nodes.

Cancer. Malignant tumors can spread to other parts of the body.

An abnormal lump or growth of tissue.

Toward the midline of the body (opposite of lateral).

The central chest area between the lungs, containing the heart, major blood vessels, and airways.

Spread of cancer from one part of the body to another.

Slight or minimal severity.

Medium or intermediate severity.

Imaging using magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of soft tissues.

Swelling of the mucous membrane lining, often in sinuses from infection or allergies.

Death of tissue.

A small, round growth or lump. Can be benign or malignant.

An area that blocks X-rays and appears white/bright on imaging. Indicates solid or fluid-filled tissue.

Related to bone.

Bone spur - bony projection that develops along joints, often from arthritis.

Picture Archiving and Communication System - computer system that stores and displays medical images.

The functional tissue of an organ (like lung tissue that exchanges oxygen).

Open and unblocked.

Disease or abnormality.

An abnormal hole or tear in an organ or tissue.

Fluid collection around the heart.

On the outer edges or away from the center.

Around the fluid-filled spaces (ventricles) in the brain.

Fluid collection between the lung and chest wall.

Infection or inflammation of the lungs.

Collapsed lung from air leak into the chest cavity.

A growth that projects from a mucous membrane, like in the colon or nose.

Toward the back of the body (opposite of anterior).

Closer to the center of the body or point of attachment.

Related to the lungs.

Nerve root pain, numbness, or weakness, often from disc herniation or spinal stenosis.

Related to the kidneys.

The sharpness or clarity of an image, or the process of getting better.

A break or tear in tissue or organ.

Images taken from side to side, dividing the body into left and right portions.

Hardening or thickening of tissue.

Linear markings in lungs from thickened tissue separating lung lobules.

Serious or extreme degree of severity.

Air-filled spaces in the skull around the nose.

Having a spiky or jagged appearance. Concerning feature when describing lung nodules.

Enlargement of the spleen.

When a vertebra slips forward over the one below it.

Narrowing of a passage or opening.

Under the skin.

Above or toward the head (opposite of inferior).

Blood clot.

The windpipe - main airway to the lungs.

Weakness of the tracheal walls.

Normal. No significant abnormalities found.

Related to blood vessels.

Fluid-filled spaces in the brain, or the lower chambers of the heart.

One of the bones that make up the spine (plural: vertebrae).

The inner tissue of the brain containing nerve fibers.

Imaging using radiation to create pictures of the inside of the body.