Chest X-Ray Test

1. Understanding COPD Slideshow
2. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Quiz
3. Energy Foods for COPD Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH

Dr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

• Chest X-ray Test Overview
• Chest X-ray Test Procedure
• How to Prepare for Chest X-ray Test
• Medical Reasons for Chest X-ray Test
• Diseases and Conditions Diagnosed with Chest X-ray Test
• Interpreting a Chest X-ray Test
• Normal Chest X-ray Test
• Abnormal Chest X-ray Test
• Chest X-ray Test Risks
• Obtaining Chest X-ray Test Results
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor
• Read more on Chest X-Ray from Healthwise

A chest X-ray test is a very common non-invasive radiology test that produces an image of the chest and the internal organs. To produce a chest X-ray test, the chest is briefly exposed to radiation from an X-ray machine and an image is produced on a film or into a digital computer. Chest X-ray is also referred to as a chest radiograph, chest roentgenogram, or CXR.

Depending on its density, each organ within the chest cavity absorbs varying degrees of radiation, producing different shadows on the film. Chest X-ray images are black and white with only the brightness or darkness defining the various structures. For example, bones of the chest wall (ribs and vertebrae) may absorb more of the radiation and thus, appear more white on the film. On the other hand, the lung tissue, which is mostly composed of air, will allow most of the radiation to pass through, developing the film to a darker appearance. The heart and the aorta will appear whitish, but usually less bright than the bones which are more dense.

Chest X-rays tests are ordered by physicians for a variety of reasons. Many clinical conditions can be evaluated by this simple radiology test. Some of the common conditions detected on a chest X-ray include pneumonia, enlarged heart, congestive heart failure, lung mass, rib fractures, fluid around the lung (pleural effusion), and air around the lung (pneumothorax). In general, a chest X-ray test is a simple, quick, inexpensive, and relatively harmless procedure with minimal risk of radiation. It is also widely available.

Must Read Articles Related to Chest X-Ray

Anthrax Anthrax is described in the early literature of the Greeks, Romans, and Hindus. The fifth plague, described in the book of Genesis, may be among the earliest de...learn more >>

Asthma Asthma is a disease that affects the breathing passages of the lungs (bronchioles). Asthma may be caused by genes and environmental factors. Asthma causes wheez...learn more >>

Asthma FAQs Asthma is a disease that affects the breathing passages, or airways, of the lungs. Asthma is a chronic (ongoing, long-term) inflammatory disease that causes dif...learn more >>

See the Entire Chest X-Ray Topic Guide »