A venogram is a way to look at veins in your body using x-rays and a special dye called contrast. It is most often use to look at veins in the legs and belly area (abdomen).

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation like light, but of higher energy, so they can move through the body to form an image on film. Structures that are dense (such as bone) will appear white, air will be black, and other structures will be shades of gray.

Veins are not normally seen in an x-ray. That is why the special dye is used. The health care provider injects this dye into a vein so it shows up better on x-rays.

See also:

• Venogram - leg
• Venogram - renal