X-rays were discovered in 1895. Since then, they have become a valuable tool in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Radiographs rely on the different densities of various parts of the body.
The tissue images that show up on the radiograph consist of white, black, and shades of gray. The more dense the body part such as bone, the whiter it appears on the x-ray. The less dense the body part such as the lung filled with air, the blacker it appears on the x-ray. Muscle and internal organs show up as various shades of gray depending on the density. With experience reading it, the veterinarian is able to use the radiograph to help make a diagnosis.