Which structure is normally visualized on an image performed with 18F fluorodeoxyglucose?

The structure that is normally visualized on an image performed with 18F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is the brain. This is because 18F-FDG is a radiotracer used in positron emission tomography (PET) scans, which is particularly effective in highlighting metabolic activity in various tissues. The brain has a high level of glucose metabolism due to its continuous, high energy demands, making it one of the organs that takes up the most FDG during imaging. As a result, the brain typically shows significant uptake of the tracer, allowing for clear visualization of its structure and function in PET imaging.

Other options, such as the thyroid, although it can take up glucose, are not specifically visualized as well with FDG due to their lower metabolic activity in comparison to the brain. The pituitary gland may also exhibit some uptake, but it is often too small and not as easily detected with FDG in imaging studies. The pancreas, while it can demonstrate metabolic activity, is not typically the primary focus of FDG PET scans; it is more often assessed using other modalities for various pathologies. Thus, the brain is the most prominent structure visualized using 18F-FDG, indicative of its critical role in numerous