Advanced Patient Assessment Practice Exam

Which of the following tissues will look radiolucent on the chest radiograph?

1. Lungs

2. Bone

3. Blood

4. Liver

The correct answer is: Lungs

Lungs appear radiolucent on a chest radiograph due to their high air content. In radiology, radiolucent tissues allow more x-rays to pass through, resulting in a darker image on the radiograph. The lungs, filled with air, create a contrast with other structures that are denser, such as bones or certain organs. In contrast, bone is denser and appears radiopaque, meaning it blocks more x-rays and appears lighter on the film. Blood, although it has some fluid content, does not create a strong contrast against surrounding tissues and usually does not contribute to significant radiolucency. The liver, with its dense cellular structure and blood supply, also appears more opaque rather than lucent. Therefore, the characteristic air-filled structure of the lungs is what makes them appear radiolucent on imaging.