What is the function of an X-ray?

• A. Measures bone density
• B. Produces images of internal structures, especially bones
• C. Measures blood pressure
• D. Detects brain activity

Answer: (B)

An X-ray’s main function is to produce images of the body’s internal structures. It uses penetrating radiation that passes through the body and is captured on a detector or film. Dense tissues, like bone, absorb more X-rays and appear white, while softer tissues show up in varying shades of gray. This contrast makes X-rays especially useful for visualizing bones to assess fractures, joints, and alignment. It’s not used to measure bone density (that’s a different test such as DEXA), nor to measure blood pressure or detect brain activity, which rely on other methods.