RADIOLOGY
Before we can fix the biological machine, we must see inside it. By weaponizing the electromagnetic spectrum and acoustic physics, we turn the human body into glass.
Core Physics & Imaging
X-Ray Physics & CT
How we generate Bremsstrahlung radiation, and how Computed Tomography (CT) spins X-rays to create 3D slices of the body.
MRI Physics
T1 vs T2 weighting. Understanding the quantum spin of protons, precession frequencies, and radiofrequency pulses.
Clinical Sonography
The piezoelectric effect, Doppler shifts for measuring blood flow velocity, and identifying acoustic shadows.
Nuclear Medicine & PET
Instead of shooting radiation *through* the patient, we inject radioactive tracers (like fluorodeoxyglucose) to watch organs metabolize in real-time.
The Lexicon of Density
X-Ray & CT (Density)
Blocks X-rays. Appears White. Examples: Bone, Metal implants, Barium contrast.
X-rays pass right through. Appears Black. Examples: Air in lungs, bowel gas.
MRI (Signal Intensity)
Returns a strong radio signal. Appears White/Bright. Example: Fat (on T1), Water/Edema (on T2).
Returns weak/no signal. Appears Black/Dark. Example: Cortical bone (has no mobile water), flowing blood.
The frequency at which a proton spins (precesses) is directly proportional to the strength of the magnetic field it is inside.