How to Take X-Rays

An X-ray is a form of electromagnetic radiation that takes a picture of the bones inside the body. This can determine a broken bone in the leg or a cavity in the mouth, for example. There are several kinds of X-rays that can be taken, such as CAT scan, which will create a three-dimensional image of the body structure. Discography is an X-ray used when a person is considering back surgery, and a DEXA scan is a bone density scan, and there are many others.

      Instructions:

      1 Determine what you are taking an X-ray of. If the X-ray is of a person's mouth, you will need to make sure to wear a lead apron over the chest area to protect it from exposure to X-rays, which can harm living tissues.
 

      2 Take the X-ray. Using the dental example, load the film in the round tube camera.

      3 Remove the film from the X-ray machine. Insert the film into the processor under safelight conditions to develop the X-ray. Once the film is processed, it needs to be exposed to several chemical solutions before being viewed.

      4 Place the X-ray into a warm water bath. This process dilutes and washes the film. Proceed with fixing the film. The unexposed silver halide crystals will be dissolved and the film will need to be washed again to remove all of the chemicals.

      5 Hang the X-ray to dry. This process can take up to 15 minutes. Once dried, the X-ray is ready for viewing.