Lexic.us

Definition of CAT scan

1. Noun. An image produced by scanning. "You could see the tumor in the CAT scan"

Definition of CAT scan

1. Abbreviation. computed axial tomography scan ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Medical Definition of CAT scan

1. A special radiographic technique that uses a computer to assimilate multiple X-ray images into a 2 dimentional cross-sectional image. This can reveal many soft tissue structures not shown by conventional radiography. Scans may also be dynamic in which a movement of a dye is tracked. Cuts may be 5 or 10 mm apart or, in some instances even further apart. A special dye material may be injected into the patients vein prior to the scan to help differentiate abnormal tissue and vasculature. The machine rotates 180ø around the patients body, sending out a pencil-thin X-ray beam at 160 different points. Crystals positioned at the opposite points of the beam pick up and record the absorption rates of the varying thicknesses of tissue and bone. These data are then relayed to a computer that turns the information into a picture on a screen. Using the same dosage of radiation as that of the conventional X-ray machine, an entire slice of the body is made visible with about 100 times more clarity. The scanner was invented in 1972 by the British electronics engineer Godfrey N. Hounsfield and was in general use by 1979. Synonym: computerised axial tomography. Acronym: CT (15 Nov 1997)

Lexicographical Neighbors of CAT Scan

Literary usage of CAT scan

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Human Rights Crisis in Kashmir: A Pattern of Impunity by Physicians for Human Rights (U.S., Asia Watch Committee (U.S.), Asia Watch Committee (U.S., Human Rights Watch (Organization), Physicians for Human Rights (U.S.) (1993)
"Doctore at die Saura Medical Institute reported dial their CAT scan has been out ... The Srinagar Medical College's CAT scan lias teen nonfunctional for die ..."

2. Alzheimer's Disease: Diagnosis, Cause & Treatment by Margaret Strock (1996)
"Brain Scans Computer-Assisted Tomography (CAT scan) changes become more evident ... Thus a CAT scan performed in the first stages of the disease cannot in ..."

3. Handbook of Severe Disability: A Text for Rehabilitation Counselors, Other edited by Walter C. Stolov, Michael R. Clowers (2000)
"Sometimes cerebral arteriography or angiography and other procedures such as brain scan, computerized axial tomography (CAT scan), ..."

Other Resources: