Inquiry into Physics
Inquiry into Physics
8th Edition
ISBN: 9781337515863
Author: Ostdiek
Publisher: Cengage
bartleby

Concept explainers

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 11, Problem 1MA
To determine

To explain several ways in which nuclear radiation is used in the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Explanation of Solution

Nuclear medicine in different ways uses radioactive isotopes.

One of the most common uses is a tracer in which a radioisotope like technetium-99 m is taken orally or injected into the body or inhaled. The radioisotope then circulates through the body or only some tissues absorb it. Its distribution can be tracked by the radiation it discharges.

Depending on the radioisotope used, the emitted radiation can be captured by various imaging techniques, such as single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET). Physicians can examine the blood flow to certain organs and evaluate the organ function or bone growth through such imaging.

Radioisotope therapeutic applications are typically aimed at destroying the target cells. This approach forms the basis of radiotherapy, which is commonly used to treat cancer and other tissue growth conditions, such as hyperthyroidism.

In medicine, there are many uses of radiation. The most commonly known is that x-rays are used to see if bones are broken. The large area of radiographic use is called radiology. In radiology, we find more specialized areas such as mammography, computerized tomography (CT) and nuclear medicine (the specialty that usually injects radioactive material into the patient). Cardiology is another area of x-ray use, where special x-ray images are taken from the heart.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
No chatgpt pls will upvote
suggest a reason ultrasound cleaning is better than cleaning by hand?
Checkpoint 4 The figure shows four orientations of an electric di- pole in an external electric field. Rank the orienta- tions according to (a) the magnitude of the torque on the dipole and (b) the potential energy of the di- pole, greatest first. (1) (2) E (4)
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Physics
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Principles of Physics: A Calculus-Based Text
Physics
ISBN:9781133104261
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:9781938168000
Author:Paul Peter Urone, Roger Hinrichs
Publisher:OpenStax College
Text book image
Modern Physics
Physics
ISBN:9781111794378
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Clement J. Moses, Curt A. Moyer
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
College Physics
Physics
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern ...
Physics
ISBN:9781337553292
Author:Raymond A. Serway, John W. Jewett
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
An Introduction to Physical Science
Physics
ISBN:9781305079137
Author:James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins, Omar Torres
Publisher:Cengage Learning