Medical Radiation Sciences

Charles Dayne L.
Dofeliz BSRT 1 – C
CHAPTER 3: MEDICAL RADIATION SCIENCES
Medical Radiation Sciences
 Radiation is energy that is transmitted by waves through space or through a medium (matter).
Radiation has permeated the universe since the beginning of time and is a natural part of our
lives.
 Many different forms of energy are used in medicine to create images of anatomic structures or
physiologic actions. These images are essential for the proper diagnosis of disease and
treatment of patient. All these energy forms can be described as radiation because they can be,
and in many instances must be, transmitted through matter.
 Medical sonography creates anatomic images by recording reflected sound waves. Sound waves
are form of non-ionizing radiation. Diagnostic medical sonography is the field of study that uses
sound to create anatomically-mechanical images.
 Electrocardiography and electroencephalography are methods of imaging the electrical
activities of the heart and of the brain, respectively.
 The body's naturally emitted heat energy can produce images for diagnostic purposes as well.
These images are called thermograms, and they can be useful in demonstrating conditions as
changes in the body's circulation.
 Nuclear energy is emitted by the nucleus of an atom. Nuclear medicine technology uses this
type of energy to create images of both anatomic structures and physiologic actions. It involves
the introduction of a radioactive substance into the body for diagnostic and therapeutic
purposes. These substances emit gamma radiation from their nuclei.
 Electromagnetic energy has many forms. Many of these forms are used in medicine to deliver
high quality patient care. In addition, x-rays are a man-made form of electromagnetic energy.
They are created when electrons moving at high speed are suddenly stopped. X-rays, also called
roentgen rays, named after their discoverer, Wilhelm Konrad Roentgen, allow physicians to
visualize many of the anatomic structures that were once visible only at surgery.
 Radiography is the making of records, known as radiographs, of internal structures of the body
by passage of gamma rays or x-rays through the body to act on specially sensitized film or digital
imaging plate or system. In the diagnostic radiography department, images are created using x-
rays that pass through the body. In addition, very-high-energy x-rays are used in the radiation
therapy department for the treatment of many forms of cancer.
 Medical radiation science involves the study of the use of radiation throughout medicine.
Because many lay people assume that the terms radiation and ionizing radiation are used
interchangeably, the term imaging sciences has been preferred to the term radiation or
radiologic sciences in areas that medical sonography and MRI. And, because radiation therapy is
primarily involved in treatment and not imaging, the term imaging sciences alone is not
encompassing enough.
HISTORY OF MEDICINE
Prehistoric and Primitive Medicine
 Primitive medicine men learned how to splint, but probably not set, bone fractures. They also
performed a type of brain surgery that we today call trephination. Trephination was done by
using stone instruments to bore or grind holes in the skull. Researchers do not know if it was
done to relieve demon spirits, treat skull fractures, or remove bone splinters.
 These signature treatments included things like drinking the blood of a warrior to increase
strength or eating leaves shaped like body organs to cure a disease. The medicine men, or
shamans, would pass the information to the next generation of priests. Digitalis, morphine,
quinine, and ephedrine are all modern medicines that have been passed down to us from
prehistoric signature practice.
Eqyptian Medicine
 The most famous of the Eqyptian physicians was Imhotep, who lived about 2800 BC. Imhotep is
also famous as the architect of the great Step Pyramid of Saqqarah.
 Eqyptian priest-physicians specialized in treating different parts of the body, because they
believed different parts of the body were governed by different gods.
 They used special religious incantations to treat patents for specific ailments.
 Egyptologists have found two large medical documents, written on papyrus, that tell much
about medical practice.
 They developed surgical techniques that are still used today including using direct compression
to stop bleeding.
 These documents define a variety of diseases and conditions, identify their symptoms, explain
what other healers should look for during examinations, suggest specific therapies, and describe
how to develop a prognosis.
 There was an official “Lady Director of Lady Physicians” who supervised the work of the female
practitioners who specialized in minor surgery and bloodletting as well as obstetrics and
gynecology.
 Some historians think that the modern day Rx pharmacy symbol has its origin in the Egyptian
Eye of Horus.
Classical Medicine

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Charles Dayne L.

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