Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques, and Equipment

Photon Absorptiometry

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.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

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.

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Synonyms

50 entry terms
  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Absorptiometry, Dual X-Ray
  • Absorptiometry, Dual-Energy Radiographic
  • Absorptiometry, Dual-Energy X-Ray
  • Absorptiometry, X-Ray
  • DEXA Scan
  • DPX Absorptiometry
  • DXA Scan
  • Densitometry, X-Ray
  • Densitometry, Xray
  • Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry
  • Dual-Energy Radiographic Absorptiometry
  • Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry
  • Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Scan
  • Dual-Photon Absorptiometry
  • Photodensitometry, X-Ray
  • Radiographic Absorptiometry, Dual-Energy
  • Single-Photon Absorptiometry
  • X-Ray Absorptiometry
  • X-Ray Absorptiometry, Dual-Energy
  • X-Ray Photodensitometry
  • Absorptiometries, DPX
  • Absorptiometry, DPX
  • Absorptiometry, Dual Energy Radiographic
  • Absorptiometry, Dual Energy X Ray
  • Absorptiometry, Dual X Ray
  • Absorptiometry, Dual-Photon
  • Absorptiometry, Single-Photon
  • Absorptiometry, X Ray
  • DEXA Scans
  • DXA Scans
  • Densitometry, X Ray
  • Dual Energy Radiographic Absorptiometry
  • Dual Energy X Ray Absorptiometry
  • Dual Energy X Ray Absorptiometry Scan
  • Dual Photon Absorptiometry
  • Dual X Ray Absorptiometry
  • Photodensitometry, X Ray
  • Radiographic Absorptiometry, Dual Energy
  • Scan, DEXA
  • Scan, DXA
  • Scans, DEXA
  • Scans, DXA
  • Single Photon Absorptiometry
  • X Ray Absorptiometry
  • X Ray Absorptiometry, Dual Energy
  • X Ray Photodensitometry
  • X-Ray Absorptiometry, Dual
  • X-Ray Densitometry
  • Xray Densitometry

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Aspects Covered

11 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings adverse effects, classification, economics, ethics, history, instrumentation, methods, standards, statistics & numerical data, trends, veterinary.

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History Note

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

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Previous Indexing

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

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References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Photon Absorptiometry. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D015502. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D015502
  2. Photon Absorptiometry. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73227822