radiology

/ˈreɪdiˌɑlədʒi/

/reɪdiˈɒlədʒi/

In medicine, radiology is the specialty that deals with imaging techniques to diagnose or treat disease. If you need an x-ray of your broken thumb, you need an expert in radiology.

The area of a hospital where x-rays or MRIs are taken might be referred to as radiology: "We need to get a look at your brain. We'll send you down to radiology." Radiology also takes the form of ultrasound and CT scans, and all of these various techniques are performed by a radiologist. The Latin root is radiationem, "a shining."

Definitions of radiology

1. noun

   the branch of medical science dealing with the medical use of X-rays or other penetrating radiation
   type of:

   medical science

   the science of dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention and treatment of disease
2. noun

   (radiology) examination of the inner structure of opaque objects using X rays or other penetrating radiation
   synonyms: radioscopy

   types:

   fluoroscopy

   examination of body structures using a fluoroscope

   type of:

   imaging, tomography

   (medicine) obtaining pictures of the interior of the body