What kind of radiation is mainly used in diagnostic imaging?

In diagnostic imaging, X-rays are the primary form of radiation used. X-ray imaging works by directing X-ray beams at the body, and different tissues absorb these rays to varying degrees. This differential absorption allows for the creation of images that can be used to diagnose a wide array of medical conditions.

X-rays have the appropriate energy levels to penetrate body tissues and produce clear images, making them highly effective for visualizing bones, organs, and other structures. Their ability to provide detailed images rapidly and with relatively low doses of radiation makes them invaluable in medical diagnostics.

While alpha radiation and beta radiation are forms of ionizing radiation, they have specific applications in therapeutic settings rather than in routine diagnostic imaging. Gamma radiation, though it can also be used in imaging (e.g., in nuclear medicine), is not the primary type used in conventional diagnostic contexts like X-ray radiography. Thus, X-rays are distinctly recognized as the cornerstone for the vast majority of diagnostic imaging procedures.