Computed Tomography is a type of scan that uses X-rays to take in-depth pictures of the internal structure of the body.

During a CT scan the patient has to lie down on a table that is attached to a machine that is shaped like a doughnut. The scanner beams X-rays through the part of the body that needs to be studied. With every rotation of the scanner, a picture of the specific area or organ is provided. These pictures then get saved on a computer as a group and are printable.

Sometimes, contrasting material is used in the form of a dye. This dye may be put in intravenously (IV), or in some cases it is placed on certain parts of the body like rectum or joints for better visibility. In certain CT scan cases, the patient has to drink the dye. Once inside, the dye provides better visibility of the organs.

CT scans are used to study different parts of the body; you can check legs, hands, chest, pelvis or stomach through a CT scan machine. It can also take pictures of internal organs like pancreas, kidney, liver, bladder, intestines, lungs or the heart. It is also used to study blood vessels, spinal cord and bone structure.