Test Overview
A facial
is a series of pictures of the bones in your
face. One type of facial X-ray (called a paranasal sinus X-ray series) looks at
the air-filled cavities (sinuses) around the nose and eyes.
X-rays
are a form of radiation, like light or radio waves, that are focused into a
beam, much like a flashlight beam. X-rays can pass through most objects,
including the human body. X-rays make a picture by striking a detector that
either exposes a film or sends the picture to a computer. Dense tissues in the
body, such as bones, block (absorb) many of the X-rays and look white on an
X-ray picture. Less dense tissues, such as muscles and organs, block fewer of
the X-rays (more of the X-rays pass through) and look like shades of gray on an
X-ray. X-rays that pass only through air look black on the picture.
See a picture of the
.
A facial X-ray helps find bone
, tumors, foreign objects, infections, and
abnormal growths or changes in bone structure or size. An X-ray of the eye
(orbital cavity) may be taken if the eye has been injured. A
may be needed to check
any problems seen on X-ray.