bone densitometry

bone densitometry,

any of several methods of determining bone mass by measuring radiation absorption by the skeleton. Common techniques include single-photon absorptiometry (SPA) of the forearm and heel, dual-photon absorptiometry (DPA) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of the spine and hip, quantitative computed tomography (QCT) of the spine and forearm, radiographic absorptiometry (RA) of the hand, and quantitative ultrasound (QU).

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bone densitometry (bōnˑ den·si·tˑ·me·trē),

n test that determines bone density according to the radiation absorption rate of the skeletal structure being tested.

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bone densitometry

The measurement of bone mass or density; the current methods—single-photon absorptiometry, dual-energy photon absorptiometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, are based on tissue absorption of photons derived from either a radionuclide or an X-ray tube; the latter are more accurate with shorter scan time. See Osteoporosis.