positron-emission tomography

noun

: tomography in which a cross-sectional image of regional metabolism is obtained by a usually color-coded representation of the distribution of gamma radiation given off in the collision of electrons in cells with positrons emitted by radionuclides incorporated into metabolic substances that have been administered (as by injection)

Examples of positron-emission tomography in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The potency of a fatty, sugary treat in triggering this release was highlighted by a 2023 study in which scientists used positron-emission tomography on a small sample of volunteers. —Marta Zaraska, Scientific American, 11 Sep. 2023

In 1995 Maguire and his colleagues published the first positron-emission tomography (PET) study of the problem, scanning the brains of four people who stutter, and reported consistent decreases in neural activity in language areas. —Lydia Denworth, Scientific American, 1 Aug. 2021

When these miserable souls go into a positron-emission tomography (PET) scanner, Wang sees the motivation regions of their brains go wild. —Kat McGowan, Discover Magazine, 25 Mar. 2019

In the new study, the authors used positron-emission tomography to scan immune system activity in mice that had the blood in a single cerebral artery interrupted for 45 minutes, mimicking an ischemic stroke. —Bret Stetka, Scientific American, 2 July 2019

Word History

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

positron-emission tomography

noun

: tomography in which an in vivo, noninvasive, cross-sectional image of regional metabolism is obtained by a usually color-coded cathode-ray tube representation of the distribution of gamma radiation given off in the collision of electrons in cells with positrons emitted by radionuclides incorporated into metabolic substances

—abbreviation PET