Glossary of Terms

Angiogram
An x-ray test in which the radiologist injects a dye into a blood vessel and takes an x-ray while the dye is being injected. The angiogram is used to distinguish the vascular anatomy of a part of the body, such as the heart. The dye, sometimes referred to as "contrast", does not actually color the blood vessels, but instead blocks x-rays from passing through it, thereby helping to create an image of the artery or vein on an x-ray. Some angiograms are done with still pictures, while others, like heart angiograms, are done using moving pictures.