What does the term "voxel" stand for?

The term "voxel" stands for "volume element," which is a fundamental concept in three-dimensional computer graphics and imaging, including computed tomography (CT). A voxel represents a value on a regular grid in three-dimensional space, essentially defining a small cubic volume. In CT imaging, these volume elements are used to reconstruct the three-dimensional representation of the scanned object or anatomy.

In contrast to a pixel, which is a two-dimensional element representing a specific point in an image, a voxel encompasses depth alongside height and width, allowing it to encode more complex information about the structure being imaged. This distinction is crucial in fields such as medical imaging, where understanding the volumetric data is important for accurate diagnosis and analysis.

Understanding voxels and how they relate to three-dimensional imaging concepts is important for interpreting CT scans, as they enable visualization of internal structures in a way that supports clinical decision-making.