Discovered in 1895, x-rays gave physicians their first glimpses of internal anatomical structure without the need to resort to surgery. X-ray is a general term and applies to a broad spectrum of imaging techniques, all of which utilize x-rays to provide diagnostic imaging information. An x-ray image is produced when a small amount of radiation passes through the body and hits a sensitive film on the other side. This exposes the film creating an image, the "shadow" of the anatomy that the radiation passed through. X-ray imaging is traditionally subdivided into four types: general radiology, fluoroscopy, mammography, and angiography.

General Radiology:
This is the most basic and most familiar of the X-ray exams. It is most typically used for imaging chests and assessing broken bones.

Fluoroscopy:
A low dose x-ray that allows physicians to view the anatomy in real time. Some common procedures involve gastrointestinals imaging, where physicians look for ulcers, blockages, and other digestive system disorders.