Final answer:
In CT scanning, a 'slice' is the processed portion of the patient's body which represents a cross-sectional image. This image is reconstructed into a two-dimensional view, with the potential to create detailed three-dimensional information.
Step-by-step explanation:
When performing a Computed Tomography (CT) scan, the portion of the patient that gets processed for viewing is called a 'slice.' This refers to the cross-sectional X-ray images that the computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner collects as it rotates 360 degrees around the patient. These images are then reconstructed by a computer into a two-dimensional view of each slice, which may be further analyzed to produce three-dimensional information. As the patient is moved through the scanner, multiple slices are obtained yielding highly detailed images of the body's structures. The technological advancements in CT scanning have allowed for superior contrast and detail as compared to standard X-rays, thanks to the computer analysis of X-ray absorption at different levels within the body.