Opacity
Opacity (medicine)
Opacity (pronounced: /oʊˈpæsɪti/) is a term used in the field of medicine to describe the quality of a substance or tissue that does not allow light to pass through.
Etymology
The term "opacity" originates from the Latin word "opacitas", which means "darkness" or "obscurity".
Definition
In medical context, opacity refers to the degree to which light is prevented from passing through a substance or tissue. This is often used in the context of radiology, where opacities may be seen on imaging studies such as X-rays or CT scans. These opacities can indicate various medical conditions, such as pneumonia, tumors, or fractures.
Related Terms
- Radiopacity: The property of a substance or tissue that blocks the passage of X-rays and appears white or light on radiographic images.
- Translucency: The property of a substance or tissue that allows some, but not all, light to pass through.
- Radiolucent: The property of a substance or tissue that allows X-rays to pass through and appears dark on radiographic images.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Opacity
- Wikipedia's article - Opacity
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