fluoroscope

fluoroscope , instrument consisting of an X-ray machine (see X ray ) and a fluorescent screen that may be used by physicians to view the internal organs of the body. During medical diagnosis the patient stands between the X-ray machine, or other radiation source, and the fluorescent screen. Radiation passes through the body, producing varying degrees of light and shadow on the screen. Although the regular X-ray photograph shows more detail, fluoroscopy is preferable when the physician wants to see the live image, i.e., observe the size, shape, and movement of the patient's internal organs. In industry the fluoroscope is used for the examination of materials, manufactured objects, welds, castings, and other objects, principally for flaws.

fluoroscope (floo-er-ŏ-skohp) n. historically, an instrument by which X-rays were projected through a patient onto a fluorescent screen enabling the resultant image to be viewed directly by the radiologist. However, as this resulted in high radiation doses for the radiologist, for diagnostic purposes the screen has been replaced by an image intensifier and TV monitor.
—fluoroscopy (floo-er-os-kŏ-pi) n.

fluor·o·scope / ˈfloŏrəˌskōp; ˈflôr-/ • n. an instrument with a fluorescent screen used for viewing X-ray images without taking and developing X-ray photographs. DERIVATIVES: fluor·o·scop·ic / ˌfloŏrəˈskäpik; ˌflôr-/ adj. fluor·o·scop·i·cal·ly / ˌfloŏrəˈskäpik(ə)lē; ˌflôr-/ adv. fluo·ros·co·py / floŏrˈäskəpē; flôr-/ n.