Computed tomography (CT) is a diagnostic technique that uses x-ray technology to scan the body, and computer algorithms to produce images of the scanned body parts.
In a CT scan, a moving x-ray tube circles the person requiring diagnosis, while they are lying on a table. This enables the CT scanner to scan a slice (or, typically, many slices) of the body. Sometimes a dye is injected before the scan to increase the contrast between various organs and tissues. The information from the x-ray scan is then translated by the computer into an image of the organs and tissues in that body slice. These images are used by the doctor to diagnose health conditions, such as disorders of the bowel, liver, brain and reproductive organs.
For more information, see CT.
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