CAT Scan (Computerized Tomography And CT Scan)

A CAT Scan is "Computerized Axial Tomography" (also known as a CT Scan), which is a process of using computers to make a 3-dimensional image from a 2-dimensional picture (X-ray). During the process a series of x-ray photographs are taken from different angles and then combined by computer into a composite 3-dimensional representation. So, pictures are taken one slice at a time going through the whole object and then the slices are combined to get a great visual of the whole thing.

A large donut-shaped x-ray machine takes x-ray pictures at several different angles around the body. These images are processed by a computer to create cross-sectional pictures of the body. In each of these pictures the body is seen as an x-ray "slice" of the body, which is recorded on a film. It's like looking at a loaf of bread that has been sliced up--you can see the whole thing and also remove slices and see the entire slice and everything inside of it. If you want more info about CAT Scans, you can go to: http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?ArticleKey=2647