CT Scan (definition of)

"CT" and "CAT" scan stand for Computed Axial Tomography. These scans are painless and non-invasive, using minimal amounts of radiation in order to produce images of the body's interior. In this aspect, it is similar to an X-ray. Unlike the latter however, CT/CAT scans are incredibly clear and detailed. In addition, the CT scan provides a 3-D view of the organ(s) or region(s) being examined. These virtual models can be examined in a medical CAD program, and like 3-D computer models, and be rotated and examined from all angles in virtual 3-D space.

This image is produced by a "camera" that actually rotates around the patient, taking hundreds of images from all sides that are combined in order to construct the virtual model (this technology is now becoming available to hobbyists and CAD engineers).

A CT scanner resembles a large tube. The patient is placed within the machine, and the resulting images are sent to a computer from which they can be printed or shared with colleagues on the World Wide Web for consultation purposes.