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In 1895, German physics professor Wilhelm Röntgen produced and discovered X-rays while experimenting with Lenard tubes and Crookes tubes and began studying them. In his initial report, the first paper written on X-rays, Röntgen referred to the radiation as "X", to indicate that it was an unknown type of radiation.

The name stuck, although many of his colleagues suggested calling them Röntgen rays (over his great objections). Interestingly, they are still referred to as such in many languages. In 1901, Röntgen received the first Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery.

Today, X-rays are essential in various sectors such as health care and transportation security. People even use them to detect art forgeries!

To show you just how deeply they have penetrated our lives, Bored Panda put together a list of some of the most interesting X-ray images we could find on the Internet. From an Egyptian sarcophagus to a metal arm, let's take a closer look, shall we?

#1

Roommate Is A Radiology Major And Today They X-Rayed Flowers. Thought You Guys Might Enjoy

Roommate Is A Radiology Major And Today They X-Rayed Flowers. Thought You Guys Might Enjoy

daisy_cutter_ Report

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation, similar to visible light. But X-rays have higher energy than light and can pass through most objects, including the body. Medical X-rays are used to generate images of tissues and structures inside the body. If X-rays traveling through the body also pass through an x-ray detector on the other side of the patient, an image will be formed that represents the “shadows” formed by the objects inside the body.

#2

5-Day Progression Of Covid Pneumonia

5-Day Progression Of Covid Pneumonia

flamants Report

General practitioner, medical researcher, and founder of PrimeHealth Clinical Research, Iris Gorfinkel, M.D., told Bored Panda that probably the most common X-ray of all is the chest X-ray, simply because it's often done when people are coughing, especially longer than a couple of weeks. "Other common X-rays that are fairly routine are mammography (looking for breast cancer in women) and CAT scans (we'll do CAT scans of the chest, the abdomen, and that's often to look for various cancers as well)."

#4

The Radiology Waiting Room In Local Hospital Has The Usual Naff Floral Decor, Except... They’re X-Rays

The Radiology Waiting Room In Local Hospital Has The Usual Naff Floral Decor, Except... They’re X-Rays

fitful_head Report

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Even though X-rays have saved countless lives and helped in a range of important discoveries, scientists have shown concern over the health implications of getting one. "No radiation is considered particularly healthy because ionizing radiation can interfere with the way cells divide and cause normal cells to become cancerous cells," Gorfinkel explained. "But the reality of the amount of radiation with various studies is that it's actually very low, and does not tend to do that unless they are constantly repeated."

Experts estimate that 0.4 percent of cancers in the U.S. are caused by CT scans and that an average CT scan might raise the chance of fatal cancer by 1 in 2,000. However, this figure pales in comparison to the natural incidence of fatal cancer in the US of 1 in 5. 

"For the most part, for the vast majority of people getting X-rays, that's not a concern," Gorfinkel said. In other words, the risks are very little compared to the benefits of medical imaging.

#8

I Have A Rare Disorder Called Cleidocranial Dysotosis. Got My First Dental X-Ray Today And I Have A Lot Of Extra Teeth

I Have A Rare Disorder Called Cleidocranial Dysotosis. Got My First Dental X-Ray Today And I Have A Lot Of Extra Teeth

NicolasNSane Report

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#9

An X-Ray Of An Egyptian Sarcophagus Revealed A Kitten Inside

An X-Ray Of An Egyptian Sarcophagus Revealed A Kitten Inside

Campbell Price Report

To give you some context, the Earth is constantly bombarded by cosmic radiation, including X-rays. These rays are not harmless but they are unavoidable, and the radiation is at such low levels that its effects are virtually unnoticed. "There was always an ambient amount of radiation, in other words, just walking around on planet Earth, we have exposure," Gorfinkel said.

#10

X-Ray Scans Of A Painting Of The Young Charles II Of Spain Reveal That The Artist Painted Over An Earlier Painting When Charles Was A Few Years Younger

X-Ray Scans Of A Painting Of The Young Charles II Of Spain Reveal That The Artist Painted Over An Earlier Painting When Charles Was A Few Years Younger

museodelprado Report

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Tiari
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

(Not so) Fun fact: His Habsburg jaw was so pronounced he spoke and ate only with difficulty, and did not learn to talk until the age of four.

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#11

Daughter Demanded Peppa Pig Get X-Ray With Her

Daughter Demanded Peppa Pig Get X-Ray With Her

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#12

X-Rays Of Children's' Mouths Between The Ages Of 6-12 Years Still Hold Wonder For Me, Even After Being A Dentist For 10+ Years

X-Rays Of Children's' Mouths Between The Ages Of 6-12 Years Still Hold Wonder For Me, Even After Being A Dentist For 10+ Years

purplprism Report

A chest X-ray is equivalent to a just few days of the amount of natural background radiation and a mammogram is three months worth. But a CAT scan of the abdomen, for example, is worth years of natural background radiation. Gorfinkel said it's important for people to realize that CAT scans, in general, are much higher in radiation than X-rays.

#13

Advanced Rheumatoid Arthritis

Advanced Rheumatoid Arthritis

Nmasse Report

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Sue Mullen Andersen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My daughter was diagnosed with RA when she was 13. She is 29 now and has had three surgeries to improve her joints to help her be able to walk. Her toes looked much like this X-ray. This is a horrible illness that is invisible until it is at this point. The pain that these patients deal with every day is heartbreaking. People still give her dirty looks when she uses a handicap parking space. Imagine if your toes looked like this...don't you think you would want to walk as little as possible?

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#14

My Wife's A Ballerina, This Is Her X-Ray While En Pointe

My Wife's A Ballerina, This Is Her X-Ray While En Pointe

Gvadam04 Report

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#15

Scoliosis Surgery, Before And After

Scoliosis Surgery, Before And After

JoshuaS3 , joshuas3 Report

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Foxxy (The Original)
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Can’t imagine how painful and uncomfortable it would be to suffer such significant scoliosis.

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"I view them as invasive tests, even though people don't feel anything going on. Considering that a CAT scan of the chest or a CAT scan of the abdomen is equivalent to three years of natural background radiation, they should be done with careful thought—they shouldn't be just done willy nilly."

#18

A Nice Clear X-Ray Showing My RNS Device, The Leads That Run To The Point Where My Seizures Originate

A Nice Clear X-Ray Showing My RNS Device, The Leads That Run To The Point Where My Seizures Originate

And also the brackets holding my skull together after my craniotomy (and the staples holding my scalp together).

sknmstr Report

#19

When You Accidentally X-Ray Anubis. Dog Moved At Just The Right Time During An X-Ray

When You Accidentally X-Ray Anubis. Dog Moved At Just The Right Time During An X-Ray

Shutupstupidgary Report

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LOttawa
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was fed after midnight and became a gremlin.

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#20

X-Ray Of A Foot In Stilettos

X-Ray Of A Foot In Stilettos

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#22

Snake Has A Kidney Tumor. Wanted To Share His X-Ray. Wish Him Luck In Surgery

Snake Has A Kidney Tumor. Wanted To Share His X-Ray. Wish Him Luck In Surgery

thebarberstylist Report

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#23

Backscatter X-Ray Identifying Contraband In A Truck. An Operator Noticed Anomalies In The Right-Side Z Backscatter View, And Flagged This Vehicle For Further Inspection

Backscatter X-Ray Identifying Contraband In A Truck. An Operator Noticed Anomalies In The Right-Side Z Backscatter View, And Flagged This Vehicle For Further Inspection

git-security.com Report

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Aski Markup
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is it just the large blocks that are the contraband? So if they had been small they would have blended in?

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#24

This Is An X-Ray Of The Device Doctors Put In My Dad's Neck, Containing Undeveloped Bone Cells And Stem Cells To Regrow Parts Of His Spine. Science

This Is An X-Ray Of The Device Doctors Put In My Dad's Neck, Containing Undeveloped Bone Cells And Stem Cells To Regrow Parts Of His Spine. Science

atonyatlaw Report

#25

I Got A Panoramic X-Ray Of My Teeth The Other Day. The Dentist Forgot To Have Me Remove My Glasses

I Got A Panoramic X-Ray Of My Teeth The Other Day. The Dentist Forgot To Have Me Remove My Glasses

maggiemoocorgipoo Report

#27

X-Ray Of A Cat With Scoliosis, Causing Her To Be Round

X-Ray Of A Cat With Scoliosis, Causing Her To Be Round

MarieGotLost Report

#28

Girl Was Nervous The X-Ray Machine Would Hurt So I Took A Quick Shot Of Her Stuffed Fox To Show It Was Fine

Girl Was Nervous The X-Ray Machine Would Hurt So I Took A Quick Shot Of Her Stuffed Fox To Show It Was Fine

nfreni Report

#29

Miss Correct Posture, 1956. At A Chiropractic Convention In Chicago, The Contest Winners Were Picked For The Beauty Of Their X-Rays And Their Standing Posture

Miss Correct Posture, 1956. At A Chiropractic Convention In Chicago, The Contest Winners Were Picked For The Beauty Of Their X-Rays And Their Standing Posture

Two_Inches_Of_Fun Report

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Daria B
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Healthy beauty standards ♡ (joke, still kinda creepy, as a beauty pageant can be)

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#31

I Took An X-Ray Today And They Told Me That My Wisdom Teeth Are Pretty Strange

I Took An X-Ray Today And They Told Me That My Wisdom Teeth Are Pretty Strange

TatoBig Report

#32

A Man In China Had A Steel Spoon Lodged In His Esophagus For A Year, But Surprisingly, The Half-Swallowed Utensil Didn’t Cause Too Much Discomfort

A Man In China Had A Steel Spoon Lodged In His Esophagus For A Year, But Surprisingly, The Half-Swallowed Utensil Didn’t Cause Too Much Discomfort

Xinjiang Meikuang General Hospital Report

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#33

I Took This X-Ray On A Covid+ Patient Hours After My Friend Tried To Tell Me Covid Isn't That Bad

I Took This X-Ray On A Covid+ Patient Hours After My Friend Tried To Tell Me Covid Isn't That Bad

SoYup Report

#37

Nikola Tesla's Foot In A Shoe, By Himself. Tesla Obtained The Image In 1896 With X-Rays Generated By His Own Vacuum Tube, Similar To Lenard’s Tube, At A Distance Of 8 Feet

Nikola Tesla's Foot In A Shoe, By Himself. Tesla Obtained The Image In 1896 With X-Rays Generated By His Own Vacuum Tube, Similar To Lenard’s Tube, At A Distance Of 8 Feet

The Tesla Museum, Belgrade, Serbia Report

#38

This Guy Had Two Nails From A Nail Gun Hit His Leg, And They Both Missed His Femur And His Kneecap

This Guy Had Two Nails From A Nail Gun Hit His Leg, And They Both Missed His Femur And His Kneecap

ILLMATIC1994 Report

#39

An X-Ray Of My Cat's Intestines, Kinda Looks Like Santa In A Sleigh

An X-Ray Of My Cat's Intestines, Kinda Looks Like Santa In A Sleigh

GloomShade Report

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Cecily Overli
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3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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#40

Pre-Flight X-Ray Image Of Neil Armstrong's Moon Boots Taken On July 7, 1969

Pre-Flight X-Ray Image Of Neil Armstrong's Moon Boots Taken On July 7, 1969

NASA x-rayed everything the astronauts wore in order to verify that there were no sharp objects embedded in the cloth that could puncture the pressure suit

history.nasa.gov Report

#41

An X-Ray Of A Ghost Bat

An X-Ray Of A Ghost Bat

Taronga Zoo Report

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Dana
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Since bat wings are just skin stretched between elongated finger bones, bats fly through the power of jazz hands

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#42

Just Received My X-Rays From Saturday’s Debacle. They Had To Cut My Ring Off Before Returning My Bones To Their Full Upright And Locked Position

Just Received My X-Rays From Saturday’s Debacle. They Had To Cut My Ring Off Before Returning My Bones To Their Full Upright And Locked Position

My fingers are still sore/stiff/swollen but mostly functional

tonyhawk Report

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#44

X-Ray Of A LED Bulb From Philips

X-Ray Of A LED Bulb From Philips

K-RayX-Ray Report

#45

Chest X-Ray Of Attempted Suicide By Injecting Elemental Mercury (Quicksilver) Intravenously

Chest X-Ray Of Attempted Suicide By Injecting Elemental Mercury (Quicksilver) Intravenously

Francisco Gutiérrez, M.D., and Lucio Leon, M.D. Report

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Nigel Rodgers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is an oversimplified analogy but imagine injecting stainless steel if it was liquid at room temperature. Pure mercury is still toxic but less reactive than mercury compounds. The main challenge is removing the physical mercury before it reacts or causes a physical blockage somewhere.

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#46

I Love How Sinister These Cute, Innocent Dolls Look Under X-Ray. It Shows Their True Colours

I Love How Sinister These Cute, Innocent Dolls Look Under X-Ray. It Shows Their True Colours

This peek-a-boo doll shrieks that over and over again even with just one squeeze. It also covers its eyes. If only it would cover my ears

xraysofthings Report

#48

Ineffective Gold Thread Acupuncture Treatment For Osteoarthritis Of The Left Knee

Ineffective Gold Thread Acupuncture Treatment For Osteoarthritis Of The Left Knee

Han-Gyul Yoo, B.S., and Wan-Hee Yoo, M.D. Report

#49

My Son Got Shot In The Face By A BB Gun Two Years Ago (Accidentally). Found The BB Today

My Son Got Shot In The Face By A BB Gun Two Years Ago (Accidentally). Found The BB Today

thebrimac Report

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Luther von Wolfen
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My stepdad had a BB in his forehead from when he was a kid. He could move it around under the skin.

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#50

X-Ray Techs Were Amazed At My Cervical Spine Imaging Given Extreme Hyper Mobility

X-Ray Techs Were Amazed At My Cervical Spine Imaging Given Extreme Hyper Mobility

backupasterisk Report

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Dana
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of that shower advertisement of the girl with her neck in that position

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Note: this post originally had 156 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.