Tagged

Definition

In medical imaging and diagnostics, 'tagged' refers to a substance, such as a molecule or compound, that has been labeled with a radioactive isotope. This tagging allows for the tracking and imaging of the substance within the body using nuclear medicine techniques.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tagged compounds are essential in nuclear medicine for imaging specific tissues or organs.
2. Commonly used radioactive isotopes for tagging include Technetium-99m and Iodine-131.
3. The tagged substances can help diagnose conditions by highlighting abnormal physiological processes.
4. PET scans often use tagged glucose molecules to detect cancerous cells due to their higher metabolic rate.
5. Safety protocols are crucial when handling tagged substances to minimize radiation exposure.

Review Questions

• What is the purpose of tagging a substance with a radioactive isotope in medical imaging?
• Name two common radioactive isotopes used for tagging in nuclear medicine.
• How do tagged substances help in diagnosing medical conditions?

Related terms

Radioactive Isotope: An unstable form of an element that emits radiation as it decays to a stable form.

PET Scan: A type of nuclear medicine imaging technique that uses positron-emitting radiotracers to visualize metabolic processes in the body.

Technetium-99m: A widely used radioactive isotope in diagnostic imaging due to its ideal physical properties and short half-life.