My Spine - Lumbar
Figure 8.1
This is a picture of a CT scan machine. The large square part in the back with
the round opening is where the X-rays are generated around the patient. This
is called the gantry and can be inclined at angles to allow for better visuali-
sation of the tissues of the body.
Modern scanners are called spiral CT scan machines and can currently take
many images at a time. The table moves with an electric motor and allows the
X-rays to pass over different tissues of the body as the patient passes through
the gantry. CT scan machines generate a large amount of radiation and a CT
scan should therefore only be performed for specific clinical indications.
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