Letter R
RADIAL SCAR
Also called ‘complex sclerosing lesion.’ This is not a scar, and it is not caused by surgery or trauma to the breast. This can look like cancer on breast imaging studies, but it is non-cancerous. It should be surgically removed because it can be associated with atypical ductal hyperplasia (see separate entry) or cancer.
RADICULOPATHY
Symptoms that are related to a pinched nerve. They can be on either side of the body or both. The feeling is often described as “electrical” pain or “pins and needles”. Can often result from a pinched nerve from a disc herniation.
RADIODENSE
Adjective. Appearing white on an x-ray.
RADIOGRAPH
An x-ray image.
RADIOGRAPHY
Technique for producing an x-ray image.
RADIOLUCENT
Adjective. Appearing dark on an x-ray.
RADIOPAQUE
Appearing bright on x-ray.
RADIUS
Long bone in the forearm.
RANULA
A cyst resulting from injury or inflammation of the salivary glands, usually the sublingual gland. Presents with painless swelling of the neck near the jaw. Treatment usually requires surgical removal of the cyst. When they rupture they can extend into the floor or mouth and are called “diving” ranula.
RATHKE’S CYST
Also known as Rathke’s cleft cyst. Occurs between the anterior (front) and posterior (back) portion of the pituitary gland. They can be made up of fluid, blood, and/or protein. They cause symptoms related to their size.
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