What does venography mean?
Venography is the radiographic examination and imaging of veins, a formal medical term used chiefly in diagnostic radiology. In a typical venogram, a contrast material is injected into a vein so that the venous system can be seen on X-ray images. The technique may be used to investigate thrombosis, obstruction, or other abnormalities in venous circulation, though its role in modern practice is more specialized than the phrase “blood-vessel imaging” might suggest. The word also refers more generally to the imaging process itself, rather than to an individual image, which is usually called a venogram. Venography is related to angiography but narrower: angiography can examine arteries, veins, and other vessels, while venography specifically emphasizes the veins. The term is useful in medicine and radiology because it identifies a procedure defined by both the anatomy being studied and the imaging method used to visualize it.
nounVenography is the radiographic examination and imaging of veins, usually performed after injecting a contrast agent into the bloodstream to make the venous structures visible.
- The radiographic examination and imaging of veins, typically using an injected contrast agent to make the venous system visible.
"The scan used contrast venography to rule out a clot in the patient's leg veins."
"The scan used contrast venography to rule out a clot in the patient's leg veins."
"Venography of the cerebral veins was performed to investigate the suspected obstruction."
Used for separate examinations or imaging procedures.
"The hospital performed venographies on both patients."
Built from Latin for “vein” and Greek for “writing,” venography literally means “vein-recording”—a remarkably literal name for a technique that maps the body's venous highways.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does venography come from?
Venography combines Latin vena, meaning “vein,” with Greek graphia, meaning “writing” or “recording.” This medical formation developed into a family of terms describing the imaging of veins and the images produced by that imaging. It belongs to the same Latin-rooted family as vein, venous, venule, and venation.
Related word forms
How venography is actually used
A formal, specialist medical term used chiefly in diagnostic radiology, vascular medicine, and surgery.
Easily confused with venography
Angiography is the broader imaging of blood vessels, including arteries and veins, whereas venography specifically focuses on the veins.