What CT number range corresponds to bone?

The range of CT numbers, or Hounsfield Units (HU), for bone typically falls between 400 and 1000. This range is indicative of the dense composition of bone tissue, which has a high atomic number and density compared to other biological tissues, such as fat or water.

In CT imaging, the HU scale is linear, with water assigned a value of 0. Tissues less dense than water, such as fat, will have negative HU values, while tissues denser than water, including various types of bone, will have positive values. Bone, specifically cortical bone, has very high density compared to other tissues due to its mineral content, primarily calcium, which leads to elevated CT numbers that can significantly exceed 400.

This density is essential in diagnostic imaging as it helps in distinguishing between different types of tissues and providing clear visualizations of skeletal structures. Understanding the CT number range of different tissues is crucial for interpreting images correctly in clinical practice.