Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

radiolucency

Noun

/ˌreɪ.dɪ.oʊˈluː.sən.si/

Definition

Radiolucency refers to the characteristic of a substance that allows the passage of radiation, particularly X-rays. In medical imaging, it indicates areas that appear darker on radiographs because they absorb fewer X-ray photons compared to surrounding tissues.

Examples

In dental X-rays, a cavity shows radiolucency, appearing darker than the healthy tooth structure.
The radiolucency of certain tumors can indicate their nature and help in diagnosis.

Meaning

The quality of being transparent to radiation, used in the context of medical imaging to describe how different tissues or materials affect the penetration of X-rays.