Imaging & Radiology · Medical Imaging · Medium

Attenuation

Meaning: Reduction in intensity of an X-ray or ultrasound beam as it passes through tissue.

In practice: Bone causes high attenuation of X-rays, so it appears white on a radiograph.

Quick check

Two questions on related imaging & radiology words.

Which word means: Describes an area appearing brighter than surrounding tissue on an MRI sequence.

Which word means: Partial or complete collapse of a lung or part of a lung.

Words like attenuation come up in the daily game

One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.

Related words

More imaging & radiology terms · All medical words