tomography

noun

to·​mog·​ra·​phy tō-ˈmä-grə-fē 

: a method of producing a three-dimensional image of the internal structures of a solid object (such as the human body or the earth) by the observation and recording of the differences in the effects on the passage of waves of energy impinging on those structures compare computed tomography

tomographic

ˌtō-mə-ˈgra-fik 

adjective

Examples of tomography in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Blood smear tests showed no evidence of parasites, and a computed tomography (CT) scan of her head showed no acute intracranial abnormalities. —Ars Technica, 13 Feb. 2025

The brain shape revealed by the new fossil, which researchers scanned using computerized tomography to create a three-dimensional reconstruction, was also characteristic of modernbirds, according to the study. —Katie Hunt, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025

The other part of the research involves using a positron emission tomography (PET) scanner, a live imaging system to monitor living cell therapies. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025

Other imaging: Ultrasounds and computerized tomography (CT) are other imaging methods used to assess bile ducts. —Mark Gurarie, Health, 31 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Greek tomos section + International Scientific Vocabulary -graphy — more at tome

First Known Use

1935, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing tomography

• computed tomography
• positron-emission tomography

Medical Definition

tomography

noun

to·​mog·​ra·​phy tō-ˈmäg-rə-fē 

plural tomographies

: a method of producing a three-dimensional image of the internal structures of a solid object (as the human body) by the observation and recording of the differences in the effects on the passage of waves of energy impinging on those structures

called also stratigraphy

see computed tomography, positron-emission tomography

tomographic

ˌtō-mə-ˈgraf-ik 

adjective