An X-ray is a type of diagnostic imaging. Most people have had at least one medical imaging test. The process of medical imaging uses x-rays, a type of ionizing radiation, to visualize structures within a specific part of the body, such as bones, tissues, and organs. The purpose of nuclear medicine procedures is to diagnose or treat diseased or damaged organs or tissues within the body by using radioactive material. These images can be used for diagnosis, to determine what is causing your health problem, or sometimes, to guide treatment. Depending on your health concern and the part of the body being examined, your healthcare provider may suggest a particular imaging procedure. X-rays are a quick and painless test that quickly produces high-quality images of the structures inside the body. It is commonly used to diagnose bone fractures, infections, osteoporosis, breast cancer, digestive tract problems, and swallowed items. CT scans use a series of x-rays to generate a cross section of the inside of the body which includes blood vessels, soft tissues, and bones. CT scans are often used to diagnose injuries resulting from trauma, tumors and cancers, bone fractures, heart disease, vascular disease, and infections, and can be used to guide biopsies. MRIs use radio waves and magnetic fields to create images of tissues and organs in the body. An MRI may be used to detect multiple sclerosis, aneurysms, stroke, tumors, spinal cord disorders, joint or tendon injuries, or blood vessel issues. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves in order to create images of structures and organs within the body. An ultrasound may diagnose breast lumps, gallbladder disease, genital and prostate issues, blood flow problems, joint inflammation, or monitor pregnancy. PET scans use radioactive drugs alongside a scanning machine to observe the functionality of organs and tissues. PET scans can diagnose heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, seizures, and Parkinson’s disease, among more.