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Joined 2026-09-21 Message
Incoming links: Transillumination in the MeSH thesaurus by National Library of Medicine
Transillumination Created 2026-10-31 Updated 2026-11-05
Transillumination examines internal structure using light transmitted through a body region or specimen. The source illuminates one side and the observer or detector records light emerging after propagation through the material. Different optical absorption and scattering properties can create image contrast.[ref]
Transillumination in the MeSH thesaurus by National Library of Medicine. descriptor D014172: passage of light through tissues or cavities to examine internal structure
A simple physical demonstration illuminates a fingertip from behind and observes the diffuse transmitted glow. Its appearance depends on wavelength, path length and the tissue's optical properties. Strong scattering redistributes the paths, so a brightness difference cannot generally be interpreted as a sharply localized anatomical boundary without an additional model.