Amniocentesis

Fluid from the sac surrounding the baby

Analysis of fluid to detect an abnormality in the fetus

Arteriography (angiography)

Any artery in the body; commonly in the brain, heart, kidneys, aorta, or legs 

X-ray study to detect a blockage or defect of an artery

Audiometry

Ears

Assessment of the ability to hear and distinguish sounds at specific pitches and volumes

Auscultation

Heart

Listening with a stethoscope for abnormal heart sounds

Barium x-ray studies

Esophagus, stomach, duodenum, intestine

X- ray study to detect ulcers, tumors, or other abnormalities

Biopsy

Any tissue in body

Examination of tissue specimen under a microscope for cancer or another abnormality

Blood pressure measurement

Usually an arm

Test for high or low blood pressure

Blood tests

Usually a blood sample from an arm

Measurement of substances in the blood to evaluate organ function and to help diagnose and monitor various disorders

Bone marrow aspiration

Hipbone or breastbone

Examination of marrow under a microscope for abnormalities of blood cells

Bronchoscopy

Airways of the lungs

Direct visual inspection for a tumor or other abnormality

Cardiac catheterization

Heart

Study of heart function and structure

Chorionic villus sampling

Placenta

Examination of a sample under a microscope for an abnormality in the fetus

Chromosomal analysis

Blood

Examination under a microscope to detect a genetic disease or to determine a fetus' sex

Colonoscopy

Large intestine

Direct visual inspection for a tumor or other abnormality

Colposcopy

Cervix

Direct visual examination of the cervix with a magnifying lens

Computed tomography (CT)

Any part of body

Computer-enhanced x-ray study to detect structural abnormalities

Conization

Cervix

Removal of a cone-shaped piece of tissue for biopsy

Dilatation and curettage (D and C)

Cervix and uterus

Examination of a sample under a microscope for an abnormality of the uterine lining

Echocardiography

Heart

Study of heart structure and function using sound waves

Electrocardiography (ECG)

Heart

Study of the heart's electrical activity

Electroencephalography (EEG)

Brain

Study of brain electrical function

Electromyography

Muscles

Recording of a muscle's electrical activity

Electrophysiologic testing

Heart

Test to evaluate rhythm or electrical conduction abnormalities

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Biliary tract

X-ray study of the biliary tract after injection of a radiopaque substance using a fiber-optic tube

Endoscopy

Digestive system

Direct visual examination of internal structures using a fiber-optic tube

Fluoroscopy

Digestive system, heart, lungs

A continuous x-ray study that allows a doctor to see the inside of an organ as it functions

Hysteroscopy

Uterus

Direct visual examination of the inside of the uterus with a fiber-optic tube

Intravenous urography

Kidneys, urinary tract

X-ray study of the kidneys and urinary tract after intravenous injection of a radiopaque substance

Laparoscopy

Abdomen

Direct visual inspection for diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities in the abdomen

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Any part of body

Magnetic imaging test for any structural abnormality

Mammography

Breasts

X-ray study for breast cancer

Mediastinoscopy

Chest

Direct visual examination of the area of the chest between the lungs

Myelography

Spinal column

X-ray or CT of the spinal column after injection of a radiopaque substance

Occult blood test

Stool

Test for blood in the stool

Ophthalmoscopy

Eyes

Direct visual inspection to detect abnormalities at the back of the eye

Papanicolaou (Pap) test

Cervix

xamination under a microscope of cells scraped from the cervix to detect cancer

Paracentesis

Abdomen

Insertion of a needle into the abdominal cavity to remove fluid for examination

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography

Liver, biliary tract

X-ray study of the liver and biliary tract after injection of a radiopaque substance into the liver

Positron emission tomography (PET)

Brain and heart

Radioactive imaging to detect abnormality of function

Pulmonary function tests

Lungs

Tests to measure the lungs' capacity to hold air, to move air in and out of the body, and to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide

Radionuclide imaging

Many organs

Radioactive imaging to detect abnormalities of blood flow, structure, or function

Reflex tests

Tendons

Tests for abnormalities of nerve function

Retrograde urography

Bladder, ureters

X-ray study of the bladder and ureters after direct insertion of a radiopaque substance

Sigmoidoscopy

Rectum and lower intestine

Direct visual inspection to detect polyps or cancer

Skin allergy tests

Usually an arm or the back

Tests for allergies

Spinal tap

Spinal canal

Test for abnormalities of spinal fluid

Spirometry

Lungs

Test of lung function involving blowing into a measuring device

Stress test (exercise tolerance)

Heart

Test of heart function with exertion

Thoracentesis

Pleural fluid

Removal of fluid from the chest with a needle to detect abnormalities

Thoracoscopy

Lungs

Examination of the lungs through a viewing tube

Tympanometry

Ears

Measurement of the impedance (resistance to pressure) of the middle ear, which helps in determining the cause of hearing loss

Ultrasonography (ultrasound scanning)

Any part of body

ltrasound imaging to detect structural or functional abnormalities

Urinalysis

Urine

hemical analysis of urine specimen to detect protein, sugar, ketones, and blood cells

Venography

Veins

X-ray study to detect blockage of a vein