Understanding the basics of CT.

A CT scan, also called computed tomography or just CT, combines a series of X-ray view taken from many different angles to produce cross-sectional images of the bones and soft tissues inside your body.

The resulting images can be compared to a loaf of sliced bread. Your doctor will be able to look at each of these slices individually or perform additional visualization to make 4-D images. CT scan images provide much more information than do plain X-rays.

A CT scan is particularly well suited to quickly examine people who may have internal injuries from car accidents or other types of trauma. A CT scan can also visualize the brain and, with the help of injected contrast material, check for blockages or other problems in your blood vessels.