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Do Nerves show up on x-ray?

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pessimist | 22:12 Mon 17th Jul 2006 | Science
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Do nerves, even damaged ones show up on an x-ray?
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Generally speaking- no!
X-rays pass through 'soft tissue' and are stopped by solid structures such as bone. This is how an X-ray image is produced- think of the x-rays as light striking a film- film reacts to x-rays the same as light- where the x-rays are stopped by bone the film is left light- where it passes through soft tissue the image is dark. Ok- films are rapidly being replaced by digital images but the princpal is the same. The heart is fairly dense and will show on a chest x-ray- some diagnosis of enlargement can be made. The lungs are full of air and provide a good passage through for x-rays- this area will be dark. Some diagnosis can be made of lumps, tumours, etc.
If you want to view softer tissue there are ways and means- usually by introducing a contrast media that shows up on x-rays- barium for instance for the barium swallow to highlight the digestive tract down to the stomach or the infamous barium enema to highlight the lower bowel. Arteries can be viewed by injecting a contrast media.
Nerves are generally viewed by ultrasound or MRI
No. They do not.
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Thats a great help, thanks.

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Do Nerves show up on x-ray?

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