Tracer
Tracer (medicine)
Tracer (pronounced: /ˈtreɪsər/) is a substance used in nuclear medicine to visualize certain structures or functions within the body.
Etymology
The term "tracer" originates from the French word "tracer", which means "to trace". In the context of nuclear medicine, it refers to the ability of the substance to trace or follow the path of a certain process or pathway in the body.
Usage
In medical imaging, a tracer is introduced into the body, often by injection, and its distribution is then monitored with a gamma camera or PET scanner. The tracer emits gamma rays or positrons which can be detected and used to create images of the inside of the body. This allows doctors to diagnose and monitor a variety of conditions, including cancer, heart disease, and neurological disorders.
Tracers can also be used in biochemical assays to track the progress of a chemical reaction or to measure the concentration of a substance in a sample.
Related Terms
- Radiopharmaceutical: A radioactive compound used as a tracer in nuclear medicine.
- Radionuclide: A radioactive nuclide that can be used to produce a tracer.
- Radiotracer: Another term for a tracer used in nuclear medicine.
- Biomarker: A naturally occurring molecule, gene, or characteristic by which a particular pathological or physiological process, disease, etc. can be identified.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tracer
- Wikipedia's article - Tracer
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