Health Information

Health Encyclopedia
Health Information
Encyclopedia Topics
Health Encyclopedia

Ions

Definition

   

An ion is an atom or group of atoms that has an electric charge. Ions with a positive charge are called cations. Ions with a negative charge are called anions.

Ions can be created using radiation such as x-rays. Ionizing radiation is often used for diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, since the ions that are produced can be used to scan for or treat some diseases.

Related topics:


Alternative Names

   
Cations; Anions

Information

   


 
Review Date: 7/18/2007
Reviewd By: Stuart Bentley-Hibbert, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
Rate this article:
1 Excellent - 4 Poor
Send a Comment:
Type the characters you see in the picture
CAPTCHA code image
Speak the codeChange the code