One of the biggest worries for newcomers to Spain is getting sick and needing to go to the hospital. Not only is the healthcare system complex, but communicating with doctors can be daunting. This is especially true when you need an imaging test. Words like X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound aren’t part of everyday vocabulary, and it can be incredibly stressful when you can’t recall them in a critical moment. A family member recently went through a series of these tests due to a health issue, so I’ve now got these terms memorized. Today, I’m sharing a summary to help anyone who might need it.
Common Spanish Terms for Medical Imaging
The general terms for getting a scan or an imaging test are Prueba de imagen or Diagnóstico por imagen. Your doctor might use these terms when writing a referral. However, the specific names for each procedure vary. You can save the little table below for future reference.
| English Name | Common Spanish Term | Notes |
|---|
| X-ray | Radiografía / Rayos X | The most common type, used for checking fractures, lung conditions, etc. |
| Ultrasound | Ecografía / Ultrasonido | Commonly used to examine internal organs, for gynecological purposes, and to monitor pregnancies. |
| CT Scan | TAC / Tomografía Axial Computarizada | A more detailed cross-sectional scan with higher radiation than an X-ray. |
| MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) | Resonancia Magnética | No radiation; provides clear images of soft tissues, joints, and the brain. |
| ECG/EKG (Electrocardiogram) | Electrocardiograma | Strictly speaking, this isn’t an imaging test, but it’s often performed alongside them. |
A Few Healthcare Tips
Besides memorizing these words, I’d like to share a few more tips. When you go for a scan, remember to bring your health insurance card and your ID. The doctor’s referral is called a Volante or Prescripción—make sure to keep this document safe, as you’ll need to show it when booking the appointment and on the day of the test. Many tests can’t be done on the same day. Especially for an MRI in the public system, the waiting list can be several months long. Therefore, after getting a scan at a Spanish hospital, you should book your Cita Previa (appointment) immediately.
Before the test, the doctor or nurse will give you some instructions. For example, before an abdominal ultrasound, they might ask you to beber mucha agua y no orinar (drink a lot of water and don’t urinate), while other tests may require ayunas (fasting). It’s worth looking into the cost of scans in Spain if you’re considering private options. If you don’t understand the instructions, don’t hesitate to ask them to repeat or clarify, or use a translation app to confirm. This is crucial for the accuracy of the test results
! I hope everyone stays healthy in Spain and never needs to use these terms, but if you do, I hope this post can help you!
