verb
Common
CT
CT (verb) means to scan someone using computed tomography (CT) imaging. Example: “The radiologist CT'd the patient's abdomen to check for internal bleeding.”
verb
1
To scan someone using computed tomography (CT) imaging.
"The radiologist CT'd the patient's abdomen to check for internal bleeding."
How to use CT
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed informally as a verb meaning to run a CT (computed tomography) scan on someone.
When to use it
Mostly used informally in clinical shorthand or casual medical speech, not in formal writing.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- CTs
- Past tense
- CTed
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The radiologist _____'d the patient's abdomen to check for internal bleeding.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “CT” mean?
The word “CT” means to scan someone using computed tomography (CT) imaging. In plain terms, used informally as a verb meaning to run a CT (computed tomography) scan on someone.
How do you use “CT” in a sentence?
Here is “CT” used in a sentence: “The radiologist CT'd the patient's abdomen to check for internal bleeding.”
What part of speech is “CT”?
“CT” is a verb.
Is “CT” a common word?
“CT” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a "CT" scan and an MRI?
A CT scan uses X-rays to build cross-sectional images of the body, while an MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves. Used as a verb, "to CT" someone means to image them with computed tomography.
Is "CT" used as a verb in everyday English?
Using "CT" as a verb ("we'll CT the patient") is medical jargon that is common among clinicians but rare in general speech. In everyday English it appears far more often as a noun in phrases like "CT scan."
How do you write the past tense of the verb "CT"?
As an informal verb formed from an abbreviation, it is usually written "CT'd" or "CT-ed," as in "the patient was CT'd." It stays capitalized because it comes from an acronym.
What is the difference between "CT" and "CAT scan"?
They refer to the same imaging technique. "CAT" stood for "computerized axial tomography," and "CT," for computed tomography, is now the preferred term.
