US Medical Term · tests
CT Scan (Computed Tomography)
Tomografía Computarizada (TC)
Also: Tomografía Axial Computarizada (TAC) (regional variant)
What it means
A CT scan, short for computed tomography, is a type of medical imaging test that uses special x-ray equipment to make detailed pictures of the inside of the body. It produces cross-sectional pictures, which are like slices of the body, and these images show the size and structure of organs, bones, and other tissues. For some CT scans a contrast material is given, as a liquid to swallow, an injection, or an enema, to help certain parts of the body show up more clearly. During the scan the person lies still on a table that slowly passes through the center of a large donut-shaped machine. The test is painless, and a specialist called a radiologist reviews the images. The same test is also called a CAT scan.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography) in Spanish
- Spanish term
- Tomografía Computarizada (TC)
- Gender and article
- feminine: la tomografía computarizada (plural: las tomografías computarizadas)
- Pronunciation
- toh-moh-grah-FEE-ah kohm-poo-tah-ree-SAH-dah
| Other Spanish terms | Where it is used | Note |
|---|---|---|
| TC | General | The abbreviation MedlinePlus en español uses in its own text for tomografía computarizada. |
| TAC | General | Listed by MedlinePlus en español under "Otros nombres"; the National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary gives "exploración por TAC" as another name for the procedure. |
| tomografía axial computarizada | General | Longer name given as an alternative by the National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary. |
| tomografía computada | General | Listed by MedlinePlus en español under "Otros nombres" for the same test. |
| tomografía computadorizada | General | Spelling variant given as an alternative name by the National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary. |
MedlinePlus en español writes the test out as tomografía computarizada and abbreviates it TC; under "Otros nombres" it lists TAC, TC and tomografía computada. The National Cancer Institute's Spanish dictionary says the procedure is also called exploración por TAC, TC, tomografía axial computarizada and tomografía computadorizada. The English abbreviation CT and the Spanish TC use the same two letters in opposite order, and the English pages list CAT scan as another name, so "CT" or "CAT scan" on an English order and "TC" or "TAC" on a Spanish one refer to the same test. The noun is feminine: MedlinePlus en español writes una tomografía computarizada and las tomografías computarizadas.
Words MedlinePlus en español uses with it: rayos X (x-rays), material de contraste or simply el contraste (contrast material), imágenes transversales (cross-sectional pictures) and radiación ionizante (ionizing radiation). It describes the scanner as una máquina grande, con forma de rosquilla, a large donut-shaped machine.
Phrases for an appointment
What a patient or a clinician might say, in English and Spanish:
| Who | English | Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| Clinician | I am going to order a CT scan of your abdomen. | Voy a pedirle una tomografía computarizada del abdomen. |
| Patient | Is a CT scan the same thing as a CAT scan? | ¿Una tomografía computarizada es lo mismo que una TAC? |
| Clinician | Is there any chance that you are pregnant? | ¿Hay alguna posibilidad de que esté embarazada? |
| Clinician | For this scan you will receive contrast material through a vein in your arm. | Para esta tomografía va a recibir material de contraste por una vena del brazo. |
| Patient | I had a reaction to contrast once before. Whom should I tell? | Una vez tuve una reacción al contraste. ¿A quién debo avisarle? |
| Patient | Can I eat or drink before the scan? | ¿Puedo comer o beber antes de la tomografía? |
| Clinician | Please lie still on the table and hold your breath when I tell you. | Por favor, quédese sin moverse sobre la mesa y aguante la respiración cuando yo le diga. |
| Patient | How long does the scan take, and when will I get the results? | ¿Cuánto dura la tomografía y cuándo me darán los resultados? |
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | CT Scan (Computed Tomography) |
| Spanish (Español) | Tomografía Computarizada (TC) |
| Chinese (中文) | 電腦斷層掃描 |
| Korean (한국어) | CT 스캔 (컴퓨터 단층촬영) |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Chụp CT (Chụp cắt lớp vi tính) |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | CT Scan |
| Portuguese (Português) | Tomografia Computadorizada (TC) |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | ซีทีสแกน |
| Japanese (日本語) | CT検査（コンピュータ断層撮影） |
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Your right to an interpreter in the United States
If English is not your primary language and you have difficulty communicating in English, you may need an interpreter or a translated document when you visit a doctor or dentist, go to the emergency room or pick up a prescription. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights states that two federal laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, require programs that receive its funding to provide language access services free of charge.
You can ask when you make the appointment or at the front desk: "I need an interpreter, please." «Necesito un intérprete, por favor.»
More terms: General care: tests, procedures and medicines
All terms in this area: General care: tests, procedures and medicines — Atención general: pruebas, procedimientos y medicamentos
Sources
- CT Scans — MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
- Tomografía computarizada — MedlinePlus en español, Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina
- NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: CT scan — National Cancer Institute (NIH)
- Diccionario de cáncer del NCI: tomografía computarizada — Instituto Nacional del Cáncer (NIH)
- Limited English Proficiency (LEP): Your Right to Language Assistance Services — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office for Civil Rights
This page is a language reference. It is not medical advice.
Last reviewed: October 7, 2026