Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan - Glossary

Glossary

Cyclotron: A machine that accelerates subatomic particles that produce protons. It is used to produce radioactive substance that emits positrons and to be used in PET scans.

Radioactive: Elements that have an imbalance in the number of protons and neutrons are unstable. These elements are radioactive, that is, they degenerate spontaneously.

Radiologist: Radiologists are medical doctors specializing in interpreting medical imaging techniques like X-rays, computed tomography, MRI and Positron emission tomography.

Positron: It is the opposite of electron, an anti-electron. Positrons can be generated by positron emission radioactive decay.

Claustrophobic: Fear of closed places.

Solitary pulmonary nodule: Also called coin lesion, solitary pulmonary nodule is a mass in the lung, measuring less than 3 centimeters in diameter.

Perfusion: The delivery of blood in the capillary bed of tissues to provide nutrients and oxygen to the tissue.