US Medical Term · tests
DEXA Scan (Bone Density Scan)
Densitometría Ósea (DEXA)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | DEXA Scan (Bone Density Scan) |
| Spanish (Español) | Densitometría Ósea (DEXA) |
| Chinese (中文) | 雙能量X光骨密度測量（DEXA） |
| Korean (한국어) | DEXA 스캔 (골밀도 검사) |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Đo mật độ xương DEXA |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | DEXA Scan |
| Portuguese (Português) | Densitometria Óssea (DEXA) |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การตรวจความหนาแน่นของกระดูก (DEXA) |
| Japanese (日本語) | 骨密度検査（DEXAスキャン） |
What it means
A DEXA scan measures the density of your bones to check for osteoporosis or low bone mass. You will lie on a padded table while a scanning arm passes slowly over your body, typically focusing on your hip and lower spine. The test uses two low-dose X-ray beams to measure how dense your bones are. It is completely painless and usually takes 10 to 30 minutes. No injection or special preparation is needed, but you should avoid calcium supplements for 24 hours before the test. You should wear comfortable, metal-free clothing. Results are given as a T-score, which compares your bone density to that of a healthy young adult.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
How often should I have a DEXA scan to monitor my bone density?
¿Con qué frecuencia debo hacerme una densitometría para vigilar mi densidad ósea?
Do I need to stop my calcium supplements before the DEXA scan?
¿Debo suspender mis suplementos de calcio antes de la densitometría?
What does a T-score of negative two point five mean on my DEXA results?
¿Qué significa un T-score de menos dos punto cinco en mis resultados de densitometría?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026