radiopaque

American  

[rey-dee-oh-peyk] / ˌreɪ di oʊˈpeɪk /

adjective

1. opaque to radiation; visible in x-ray photographs and under fluoroscopy (radiotransparent ).

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radiopaque British  

/ ˌreɪdɪəʊˈpeɪk, ˌreɪdɪəʊˈpæsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. not permitting X-rays or other radiation to pass through

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Other Word Forms

• radiopacity noun

Etymology

Origin of radiopaque

First recorded in 1925–30; radi(o)- + opaque

Compare meaning

How does radiopaque compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• radiopaque vs. radiolucent

Example Sentences

Injections of radiopaque dye also help X rays to show whether arteries have been displaced or damaged enough to deprive part of the brain of its blood supply.

From Time Magazine Archive

He is impatiently awaiting delivery of an X-ray machine which will take pictures at 1/500 sec. and, with radiopaque dyes, will show precisely where and how extensively a coronary artery is blocked�or unblocked.

From Time Magazine Archive

He worked plastic tubes through arm veins into both sides of her heart, injected a radiopaque dye and took X rays to get a clear picture of her narrowed aorta.

From Time Magazine Archive

If a woman has certain radiopaque dyes injected for gall-bladder X rays, for example, a baby that she bears several years later may have an abnormal level of iodine in the blood.

From Time Magazine Archive

A second diagnostic advance comes from use of radiopaque dyes, which are injected into arteries leading to the brain: X rays help to locate obstructions to circulation resulting from thromboses and especially aneurysms.

From Time Magazine Archive