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7 types of X-rays and why you may need them

Blog
01/23/26
X-ray images can give medical providers better insights into bone conditions, arthritis, cancer, digestive issues, and more. Here are the different types.

When people think of the term “X-ray,” they may picture the large machine in a hospital, or the blue and white image of a broken bone in an urgent care chart. X-rays can actually refer to the type of light and the images taken with it.

Unlike visible light, X-rays can travel through the human body. They pass through soft tissues, but the dense structures inside the body, like bone, block them. This makes many of the body’s internal structures visible in the resulting X-ray image.

X-ray images are also called radiographs, and the process of taking them is called radiography. X-ray technologists take X-ray images. Physicians called radiologists look at these images to interpret the type of health issue present.

7 different types of X-rays

Medical professionals use different types of X-rays to look into various kinds of health issues, including:

  1. Abdominal X-ray: Physicians use them to look into issues like belly pain, unexplained nausea, kidney stones, blocked intestines, swallowed items, tumors or other health issues related to the abdomen.
  2. Lower gastrointestinal (GI) X-ray: This is an X-ray of the large intestine done after a liquid contrast material, called barium sulfate, is inserted into the colon with a lubricated tube. This test helps look for colon cancer, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease.
  3. Bone X-ray: This checks for broken bones, bone tumors or other conditions like multiple myeloma, Paget disease, rickets and primary hyperparathyroidism.
  4. Chest X-ray: This is to check for issues like a collapsed lung, pneumonia, a lung tumor, tuberculosis and scarring of the lung tissue.
  5. Dental X-ray: These tests usually happen in a dentist’s office. The dental health team uses them to check the teeth and diagnose issues like impacted teeth, abscesses, tooth decay, bone damage or trouble with the way the top and bottom teeth fit together.
  6. Upper GI X-ray: This set of X-rays looks at the esophagus, stomach and small intestines. It requires special preparation, including drinking a milkshake-like drink containing barium. The X-rays help detect issues like cancer, ulcers, irregular structures called diverticula, polyps and narrowing in the GI tract.
  7. Joint X-ray: This imaging procedure is known as direct arthrography. It checks for disease in the tendons, ligaments and cartilage. It uses contrast material, similar to an upper GI X-ray.

Other types of medical imaging that use X-rays

Patients sometimes get other types of medical imaging that use X-rays. These include:

Mammogram

Mammograms are a type of X-ray that’s done using a special mammogram machine.

Screening mammograms check for abnormal breast tissue and help detect breast cancer early or confirm breast cancer if a person has symptoms.

Computed tomography (CT)

CT scans use X-rays to create a three-dimensional image by taking many two-dimensional cross-sectional images of the body, then putting those together by computer.

During the procedure, the person lies on a bed that moves them into an X-ray machine, which looks like a tube.

CT scans use more radiation than regular X-rays, but they provide clearer images. This helps physicians make better diagnoses and treatment plans.

Patients may be given a contrast dye orally or through a vein before the procedure.

CT scans are often used to detect:

  • Blood clots
  • Internal bleeding
  • Infections
  • Tumors

Fluoroscopy

This type of procedure uses a pulsed X-ray beam to take a series of images that are put together by a computer, much like a video. This lets physicians see a process happening in the body in real-time.

Fluoroscopy exposes the patient to more radiation than a single X-ray image, but allows physicians to see:

  • Digestion and movement of the gut
  • Catheter placement during heart surgery
  • Blood flow changes in the organs
  • Bone placement during a bone setting procedure

What to expect when getting an X-ray

Each type of X-ray is different, but most have a few things in common.

X-rays themselves are painless. However, moving the body into specific positions and holding still during the X-ray can sometimes be uncomfortable.

Before the X-ray, a person must remove all their jewelry. The technician may also ask them if they have any metal implants or if they could be pregnant. Pregnant people wear a special shield to protect the fetus during the X-ray. Removing jewelry and informing the technician about any metal in the body is important because it can interfere with the results.

Managing the risks of X-rays

Exposure to X-ray radiation can damage the part of the body that was exposed, just like sun exposure can damage skin. But X-ray exposure comes with a very low risk of cancer.

It’s important for the person getting an X-ray to follow instructions and answer any questions the technician has. This can help them avoid unnecessary radiation exposure, ensure patient safety and provide a clear image.

Takeaway

X-rays are an important medical imaging tool that care teams use to investigate, diagnose and plan treatment for many different health issues.

They produce a type of radiation that has a very low chance of leading to cancer, but experts agree that the benefits of using X-ray imagery far outweigh these risks.

People who are pregnant should always tell their healthcare team about the pregnancy before the X-ray procedure. The team will take extra steps to protect the fetus from radiation exposure.

Optum Radiology at Crystal Run Healthcare offers radiology appointments at convenient hours on weekdays, evenings and weekends, in multiple locations. For more information, visit our radiology specialty page.

Radiology