X-ray technology is used in the field of speech therapy for the treatment of dysphagia through procedures such as the barium swallow barium. Throughout this article, we will examine what this form of technology is, the history of x-rays and x-ray technology, and how it is used today by speech-language pathologists, particularly through the using a procedure called barium swallow. X-rays are defined as powerful invisible rays that can pass through various objects and allow us to see the inside of things, such as the human body. (Merriam Webster). Therefore, X-ray radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation, the wavelength of which is between 0.01 and 10 nanometers. These wavelengths are shorter than UV rays but longer than gamma rays. X-ray photons are emitted when highly excited atoms return to their ground state configuration. X-ray machines use photons of light, which can be thousands of times more energetic than a photon of visible light, allowing them to see inside the body. Typically, they focus a beam of energetic electrons onto a target, such as a piece of tungsten. As the electrons decelerate, x-rays are generated. X-ray imaging creates images of the inside of your body, showing them in different shades of black and white. These are different shades because different types of fabric absorb different amounts of radiation. Bones appear white because calcium absorbs the most X-rays. Fat and other soft tissues absorb less and appear gray, while air appears black because it absorbs the fewest rays. These rays produce a digital photographic image of the internal composition of something, usually a body part. At first, X-rays were not used for medical purposes. As they began to become very popular among ......paper sellers. Retrieved April 15, 2014 from http://inventors.about.com/od/xyzstartinventions/a/x-ray.htmBinns, C. (December 14, 2012). What are X-rays? Science Live. Retrieved April 16, 2014 from http://www.livescience.com/32344-what-are-x-rays.html Furlow, B. (September 1, 2004). Barium swallow. (CE directed reading). Radiological Technology, 76, 49-61.PhD, BM, Logemann, PHD, JA, MD, SM, MS, MS and MA, JS (2000). Clinical utility of the modified barium swallow. Dysphagia, 455, 136-141.Natale, S. (2011). The invisible made visible. Media History, 17(4), 345-358.New releases. (nd). Harvard Health Publications. Retrieved April 16, 2014, from http://www.health.harvard.edu/diagnostic-tests/barium-swallow.htm Tice, M. (July 1, 2007). X-ray technology today: an overview. Spectroscopy, 22, 26-28. Accessed April 7, 2014 from http://www.spectroscopyonline.com