What type of rays are used in fluoroscopy?

Fluoroscopy utilizes X-rays to produce real-time moving images of the interior of a patient's body. This imaging technique allows healthcare professionals to observe the function of organs and structures in real time, aiding in diagnosis and treatment. X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation that can penetrate body tissues, allowing for the visualization of internal structures on a monitor.

In the context of fluoroscopy, a continuous or pulsed X-ray beam is directed at the patient while a special fluorescent screen or digital detector captures the resulting images. This method is distinctly different from other imaging modalities; for instance, gamma rays are typically associated with nuclear medicine, ultrasound waves use sound frequencies, and infrared rays are used in thermal imaging, none of which provide the same level of detail for observing moving internal structures as X-rays do in fluoroscopy.