Hounsfield Unit

A Hounsfield Unit (HU) is a measurement used in computed tomography (CT) scans to quantify the density of tissues. It helps distinguish between different substances in the body. Water has a HU of 0, while air is negative, and denser materials, like bone, can have high positive values (up to +1000 or more). This scale allows doctors to identify various tissues, fluids, and abnormalities by comparing their density levels on the scan, aiding in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Essentially, HUs provide a clear picture of what’s inside the body based on how dense each substance is.