Noninvasive
The term noninvasive can refer to diseases, procedures, or devices.
- Noninvasive diseases usually do not spread to or damage other organs and tissues.
-
Noninvasive procedures do not involve tools that break the skin or physically enter the body. Examples include x-rays, a
standard eye exam
,
CT scan
,
MRI
,
ECG
, and
Holter monitoring
.
Standard eye exam
A standard ophthalmic exam is a series of tests done to check your vision and the health of your eyes.
CT scan
A computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...
MRI
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan is an imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the body. It does not us...
ECG
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
Holter monitoring
A Holter monitor is a machine that continuously records the heart's rhythms. The monitor is worn for 24 to 48 hours during normal activity.
-
Noninvasive devices include hearing aids, external
splints
, and
casts
.
Splints
A splint is a device used for holding a part of the body stable to decrease pain and prevent further injury.
Casts
Urinary casts are tiny tube-shaped particles that can be found when urine is examined under the microscope during a test called urinalysis. Urinary c...
Noninvasive is the opposite of invasive .
Invasive
An invasive disease is one that spreads to surrounding tissues. An invasive procedure is one in which the body is "invaded", or entered by a needle,...
-
Noninvasive test - illustration
A noninvasive test is a procedure that does not involve tools that break the skin or physically enter the body.
Noninvasive test
illustration
Review Date: 1/31/2015
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, medical director and director of didactic curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.