A test to determine the relative thickness and composition of bones. Low-level X-rays are taken of spine, hip, and then the entire body, to give a view of bone mass and density.
is a way of measuring the strength of bones in order to determine if a person has osteoporosis. (The bones of people with this disease become fragile and susceptible to fractures.) The most common way to measure the strength of bones is to use a DEXA (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry) machine, which uses a very small dose of radiation. This painless test takes about 20 minutes. The density of two areas is measured: the femur (hip bone) and the vertebrae of the lower spine. (See also Osteoporosis.)