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Glite Dictionary
radiotracer

radiotracer

6.6
A small radioactive substance doctors or scientists inject to show how parts of the body work
  • noun
  • /ˈreɪdioʊˌtreɪsər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : radiotrazador
  • Bone scanning with 99m Tc methylene diphosphonate is exquisitely sensitive because the radiotracer accumulates at sites of osteoblastic activity.
  • PET radiotracer

Examples

  • Before the scan, the patient received a radiotracer that would highlight any abnormalities in the tissue.

  • The doctor used a radiotracer during the imaging procedure to assess the patient's heart function.

  • In scientific research, a radiotracer can help scientists visualize metabolic processes in the body.

Synonyms

tracer
vsradiotracer
  • Specialized
2 6.7

A small radioactive substance injected to show how blood or organs work

is used to track or visualize processes in the body and in scientific studies

How Detectable

tracer
  • Specialized
2 6.7
radiotracer
  • Specialized
6.6

Surface Forms

radiotracer singular
radiotracers plural

Morphology

radiotracer = tracer (semi-transparent) = radio + trace + er

Formally built from 'radio' + 'tracer' and indicates a tracer that involves radioactivity, but the meaning is technical and could be confused with 'radio' (broadcast) by learners.

Etymology

Radiotracer joins radio-, from a root meaning 'ray' as in radio, and trace, meaning 'to follow' or 'mark'. So a radiotracer is like a tiny 'ray' marker doctors can 'follow' inside the body to see how blood or other parts move.