luco-, luc-, luci-, lux, -lucence, -lucent

To shine a bright light through a body organ or cavity to detect diseases or other abnormalities. when pus or a lesion is present, the transmission of light is diminished or absent.

This test is most commonly performed on newborns or infants with hydrocephalus , or males suspected of having a hydrocele (accumulation of serus fluid in a saclike cavity). The test may also be performed on breast tissue to detect lesions and cysts . In newborns, a bright halogen light may be used to transilluminate the chest cavity if it is suspected they have a pneumothorax . Transillumination through the chest is only possible on small newborns.

Areas filled with air or fluid that is not native to that location have increased light transmission and transilluminate when they should not. For example, in a darkened room, a newborn infant's head can be seen to light up brightly when transilluminated if there is excess fluid present (suggesting hydrocephalus).

One of a range of new digital technologies that is helping to improve diagnostic techniques is the Difoti (digital imaging fiber optic transillumination). One application of the Difoti is with dentists when a wand is positioned above each tooth and as light passes through the enamel, any cavities or other irregularities alter the light pattern during transillumination and the information is captured by the wand’s sensor and transmitted to a display

1. Permitting light to pass through but diffusing it so that people, objects, etc., on the opposite side are not clearly visible: "The frosted window glass in the door is translucent but not transparent.
2. Easily understandable; lucid: "She gave us a translucent explanation."
3. Clear; transparent: "We could see that there was translucent seawater."
4. The action or fact of shining through.

Translucent materials which allow light to pass through them in a diffuse manner; that is, the material's translucency distorts the image.

Although transparency usually refers to visible light in common usage, it can actually refer to any type of radiation; for example, bodily flesh is transparent to X-rays, while bone is not.

1. Letting light pass through but diffusing it so that objects on the other side cannot be clearly distinguished.
2. Partially transparent; such as, frosted glass; semi-transparent.

Descriptive of light being transmitted but causing sufficient diffusion to prevent the clear perception or viewing of images.

1. The quality of emitting light under friction or violent mechanical pressure.
2. Luminescence produced by friction, usually within a crystalline substance.
3. The glow or emission of light that results from friction or mechanical pressure.

1. Luminescence caused by friction; the glow or emission of light that results from friction or mechanical pressure.
2. Exhibiting triboluminescence.

Luminescence resulting from exposure to high temperature, produced in a material as a result of friction.

Thermoluminescence (luminescence resulting from exposure to high temperature) produced in a material as a result of friction.

1. Not illuminated or without light.
2. Not spiritually or mentally enlightened.

The way of the Cross is the way to the light.

1. The functional relationship between stellar (star) magnitude and the number and distribution of stars of each magnitude interval.
2. A standard measure of the response of an eye to monochromatic light at various wavelengths.

The function is normalized to unity at its maximum value.