The shocking truth about road trauma
Glossary
angiogram. An X-ray visualisation of blood vessels showing their condition. To be able to see blood vessels in an X-ray image, the vessels are injected with dye.
black spot. A term used to refer to a section of road that is regarded as a high-risk location for car crashes. Black spot programs are designed to reduce the crash risk in these areas by improving the physical conditions or management (eg, building roundabouts, improving lighting). For more information see Black spot program (Department of Transport and Regional Services, Australia).
blood type. Refers to any one of the various types (or groups) into which our blood is classified. Blood types are based on differences in molecules (proteins and carbohydrates) on the surface of red blood cells. For transfusions, the blood type of the donor and the recipient must match. For more information see Blood types – what are they? (Australian Red Cross), and Blood groups, blood typing and blood transfusions (Nobelprize.org, Sweden).
CT scans. A series of X-ray images of the body. The body is X-rayed from many directions and the results are analysed by a computer. The computer generates images of cross-sections (slices) of the body. CT scans show details of the shape and location of soft tissues, as well as bones and blood. Other names for this technique are computerised tomography, CAT scan and computerised axial tomography. For more information see CAT scans (University of Colorado at Boulder, USA).
electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation is simply energy which travels through space at about 300,000 kilometres per second – the speed of light. We imagine radiation moving like a wave. The distance between two adjacent wave crests is called a wavelength. The shorter the wavelength, the more energetic the radiation is said to be. Also, the shorter the wavelength, the greater the frequency of the radiation. Other than wavelength, frequency and energy there is no difference between a radio wave, an X-ray and the colour green. They all possess the same physical nature. For more information see Back to Basics: Electromagnetic radiation (Australian Academy of Science) and Electromagnetic Spectrum (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, USA).
Focused Abdominal Sonography for Trauma (FAST). An ultrasound examination of the abdomen to determine if there is fluid present in body cavities. FAST can detect haemorrhaging and helps medical staff to decide what further procedures are necessary. (Some experts use FAST to stand for Focused Assessment Sonography for Trauma.)
ultrasound. The use of sound waves with frequencies above the range of normal hearing to examine structures inside the body. For more information see How ultrasound works (How Stuff Works, USA).
X-ray. An image produced by sending a beam of X-rays (very high energy electromagnetic radiation) through the body. Different tissues in the body have different densities and absorb and deflect the X-rays differently. A camera records on photographic film the varying levels of X-rays that have passed through the body. For more information see What are X-rays? (MCG Health System, USA) and How X-rays work (How Stuff Works, USA).
Page updated August 2006.