Illuminating Light

Electromagnetic Radiation

Electromagnetic radiation passes through the body to varying degrees, depending on its type and the structure of the tissues it encounters. Visible light barely penetrates at all, as it is reflected or absorbed in the outer layers of the skin. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaches these outer layers and can cause changes, such as tanning. X-rays can pass through soft tissues but are blocked by bones, which is why they’re used to create images of the skeleton.