A noninvasive method for assessing BODY COMPOSITION. It is based on the differential absorption of X-RAYS (or GAMMA RAYS) by different tissues such as bone, fat and other soft tissues. The source of (X-ray or gamma-ray) photon beam is generated either from radioisotopes such as GADOLINIUM 153, IODINE 125, or Americanium 241 which emit GAMMA RAYS in the appropriate range; or from an X-ray tube which produces X-RAYS in the desired range. It is primarily used for quantitating BONE MINERAL CONTENT, especially for the diagnosis of OSTEOPOROSIS, and also in measuring BONE MINERALIZATION.

Measurement of the degree of darkening of X-ray film by means of a photocell which measures light transmission through the film.

Synonyms: Xray Densitometry, Scan, DEXA, DEXA Scan, Scan, DXA, Absorptiometries, DPX, Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry Scan, Densitometry, X-Ray, Absorptiometry, Dual-Energy X-Ray, Photodensitometry, X-Ray, Absorptiometry, X-Ray, Absorptiometry, Dual X-Ray, Dual X-Ray Absorptiometry, Absorptiometry, Dual Energy Radiographic, Absorptiometry, DPX, Absorptiometry, Dual-Photon, DXA Scans, X-Ray Absorptiometry, Dual, DEXA Scans, Absorptiometry, Photon, Dual X Ray Absorptiometry, Scans, DEXA, Dual Energy Radiographic Absorptiometry, Scans, DXA, X-Ray Absorptiometry, X-Ray Densitometry, Radiographic Absorptiometry, Dual Energy, Single Photon Absorptiometry, Photon Absorptiometry, Densitometry, X Ray, Absorptiometry, X Ray, X Ray Absorptiometry, Dual Photon Absorptiometry, X-Ray Absorptiometry, Dual-Energy, Absorptiometry, Dual Energy X Ray, Absorptiometry, Single-Photon, Absorptiometry, Dual-Energy Radiographic, Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry, Dual-Energy Radiographic Absorptiometry, X Ray Absorptiometry, Dual Energy, Dual Energy X Ray Absorptiometry Scan, X-Ray Photodensitometry, X Ray Photodensitometry, DPX Absorptiometry, Dual Energy X Ray Absorptiometry, Dual-Photon Absorptiometry, Radiographic Absorptiometry, Dual-Energy, DXA Scan, Absorptiometry, Dual X Ray, Photodensitometry, X Ray, Single-Photon Absorptiometry, Densitometry, Xray