Final answer:
The radioactive iodine uptake test uses a gamma camera to assess the function of the thyroid gland by detecting radiation from radioactive iodine absorbed by the thyroid.
Step-by-step explanation:
Technology in Radioactive Iodine Uptake Test
The technology used in a radioactive iodine uptake test is a gamma camera. This medical diagnostic test is performed to assess the function of the thyroid gland. Radioactive iodine is administered to the patient, and the thyroid, which absorbs iodine, will concentrate the radioactive iodine. The gamma camera monitors the radiation emitted by the radioactive iodine that has been concentrated in the thyroid gland. The gamma camera, also known as an Anger camera, captures this radiation and creates an image, revealing the activity and function of the thyroid, including conditions such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Other medical imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or X-ray imaging use different methods and technologies to produce images. For example, CT scans use successive X-rays, while MRI machines use magnetic fields. Ultrasound technology, although not used for thyroid imaging, is non-invasive and uses sound waves to generate images, particularly in monitoring pregnancies.