What Anatomical Structures Are Demonstrated Well on Radiography

Radiodense structures are easy to evaluate on radiography. Examples of these include bone, calcium, barium and metal.

Radiolucent structures are also easy to evaluate. Examples of these include air and fat.

Structures of intermediate density, such as fluid and soft tissues like organs and muscles are harder to evaluate and differentiate. They all appear a similar shade of gray. How distinctly they are seen on radiographs depends on what structures they are next to.

If two structures of similar density are adjacent to one another, they cannot be differentiated since they appear the same shade of gray. In contrast, adjacent structures of differing densities, like bone and fat, can be distinguished quite easily.