Radiographic Imaging, X-ray and Plain X-ray
This Editorial Guide is used for Education Purposes Only. It is used in the Authoring Courses and Certifications. It is based on the January 2026 Editorial Guide.
Modeling new content requests
Requests for new imaging-related content must clearly specify an imaging action; for example, computed tomography, plain X-ray, fluoroscopy, etc.
Radiographic imaging is a broad term that encompasses several types of imaging studies that use ionizing radiation for visualization of internal parts of the body using X-ray techniques (for example, computed tomography) and is therefore a grouping concept. New content requests using the phrase Radiographic imaging of and/or submissions requesting a Method (attribute) of 278110001 |Radiographic imaging - action (qualifier value)| are not acceptable for the international edition of SNOMED CT.
Approved naming pattern
FSN: Plain X-ray of (procedure) PT: Plain X-ray of
The X is capitalized, and the description case sensitivity is Only initial character case insensitive.
The following are acceptable synonyms:
Plain film of X
Plain radiography of X
These synonyms are only added on request or have been retained as active synonyms where they are already published. They are not routinely included as synonyms for the international edition.
Unacceptable descriptions
The terms radiologic and radiologic guidance are not permitted for any new descriptions, neither FSN nor synonyms. Neither are the following patterns permitted for any new descriptions:
Radiography of X
For example,
Radiography of hand (procedure)
X-ray of X
For example,
X-ray of both feet (procedure)
Diagnostic radiography
For example,
Diagnostic radiography for foreign body detection and localization (procedure)
363680008 | Radiographic imaging procedure (procedure)| is at the top-level of the hierarchy of imaging procedures utilizing ionizing radiation for X-ray techniques. This concept has been retained along with a small number of high usage subtypes that are modeled with method 278110001 |Radiographic imaging - action (qualifier value)|.
Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry
FSN: Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of X (procedure)
PT: Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of X
SYN: DXA of X
SYN: DEXA of X
For example,
428313006 | Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of mandible (procedure)|
FSN: Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of mandible (procedure)
PT: Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of mandible
SYN: DXA of mandible
SYN: DEXA of mandible
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