Noob question on CXR definitions

[Daitong]

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Hi,

Could someone clarify this basic concept for me?

What exactly does opaque and lucency mean? From my understand, opaque = white = fluid, which intuitively doesn't make sense since opaque normally would imply black (and hence air).

Could someone differentiate between what these terms mean, and what it implies?

Thanks in advance,

 

[Doctor Strange]

You're correct in your understanding. Think of it this way: something is "opaque" because x-rays have a hard time passing through it. Air is "radiolucent" because the radiation easily passes through.

 

[sliceofbread136]

Opaque in the traditional sense means light can't go through it, in this sense X-rays cannot pass through hence being radio-opaque

 

[Psai]

Opaque means that electromagnetic radiation doesnt go through. So light in real world objects and things like bone for xrays. Color is irrelevant. Would you call a heavy white curtain "lucent" because it's white and not black?