X- Ray Services At Ocala Family Medical Center

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to visible light. Unlike light, however, x-rays have higher energy and can pass through most objects, including the body. Medical x-rays are used to generate images of tissues and structures inside the body. If x-rays travelling through the body also pass through an x-ray detector on the other side of the patient, an image will be formed that represents the “shadows” formed by the objects inside the body.

One type of x-ray detector is photographic film, but there are many other types of detectors that are used to produce digital images. The x-ray images that result from this process are called radiographs.

When the body undergoes X-rays, different parts of the body allow varying amounts of the X-ray beams to pass through. Images are made in degrees of light and dark. It depends on the amount of X-rays that penetrate the tissues. The soft tissues in the body (like blood, skin, fat, and muscle) allow most of the X-ray to pass through and appear dark gray on the film. A bone or a tumor, which is denser than soft tissue, allows few of the X-rays to pass through and appears white on the X-ray. At a break in a bone, the X-ray beam passes through the broken area. It appears as a dark line in the white bone.

Medical x-rays have increased our ability to detect disease or injury early enough for a medical problem to be managed, treated, or cured. When performed appropriately and early enough, these procedures can improve health and may even save a person’s life.

X-Ray studies focus on internal structures of the body. The primary focus areas for X-Ray’s are: bones, chest, back and abdomen. These studies can be used for annual wellness purposes or for diagnosing a suspected injury or illness. OFMC relies on a digital radiography machine which allows for a faster and more detailed image, as well as a Radiologist that is available on-site, every day to read the X-Ray results.

Ocala Family Medical Center

2230 SW 19th Avenue Road

Ocala, FL 34471

Phone: 352-237-4133

Fax:      352-873-4581

E-mail: info@ocalafmc.com