PET scan

American  

[pet skan] / ˈpɛt ˌskæn /

noun

Computers, Medicine/Medical.

1. an image obtained by positron emission tomography, using a PET scanner.

2. an examination performed with a PET scanner.

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PET scan Scientific  

/ pĕt /

1. Short for positron emission tomography scan. A cross-sectional image of a metabolic process in a human or animal body produced by positron emission tomography.

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PET scan Cultural  

1. Acronym for p ositron e mission t omography, a medical test that is especially useful in showing how tissue or an organ is functioning, as opposed to just showing structure. In a PET scan, radioactive atoms are introduced into the body, where their chemical behavior is exactly the same as similar nonradioactive atoms. The positrons emitted when these nuclei decay collide with electrons in surrounding tissue, producing gamma rays that can then be detected by instruments outside the body.

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Discover More

A PET scan can show the blood flow through the brain, areas of high metabolic activity that indicate potential tumors, as well as areas of damaged heart tissue.

Etymology

Origin of PET scan

First recorded in 1975–80; PET ( def. ) + scan ( def. )

Example Sentences

I spent the next several days trotting to back-to-back appointments for procedures and tests, including a breathing test, a PET scan and a lung biopsy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026

But on Tuesday, Coulier told Today: "In October of this year, I went in for a PET scan, just a routine check-up and something flared on the PET scan."

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2025

Other questioners wondered if Galleri’s performance had been inflated, because the study followed up an initial positive blood test with a full-body PET scan.

From Barron's • Oct. 22, 2025

A positive blood biomarker test could also lead to significant mental and financial damage, with unnecessary and expensive procedures like an MRI, a PET scan or a spinal fluid test.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 10, 2024

I had a PET scan scheduled in a couple weeks.

From "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green