A noninvasive method for assessing BODY COMPOSITION. It is based on the differential absorption of X-RAYS (or GAMMA RAYS) by different tissues such as bone, fat and other soft tissues. The source of (X-ray or gamma-ray) photon beam is generated either from radioisotopes such as GADOLINIUM 153, IODINE 125, or Americanium 241 which emit GAMMA RAYS in the appropriate range; or from an X-ray tube which produces X-RAYS in the desired range. It is primarily used for quantitating BONE MINERAL CONTENT, especially for the diagnosis of OSTEOPOROSIS, and also in measuring BONE MINERALIZATION.

DUI

D015502 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0023863

Previous indexing

Absorption (1972-1979); Densitometry (1966-1989); Radionuclide Imaging (1977-1989); Spectrophotometry, Atomic Absorption (1974-1982); Tomography, Emission Computed (1980-1989)

History note

90; was see RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING 1985-1989; for DUAL-ENERGY RADIOGRAPHIC ABSORPTIOMETRY use DENSITOMETRY, X-RAY

Online note

use RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING to search ABSORPTIOMETRY, PHOTON 1985-89

Public note

90; was see RADIONUCLIDE IMAGING 1985-89