Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

bone marrow transplant
A procedure in which
diseased or damaged bone marrow is replaced with
healthy bone marrow. The bone marrow to be
replaced may be deliberately destroyed by high
doses of chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
Replacement marrow may come from another per-
son, or the patient’s own marrow may be removed
and stored before treatment for later use. When
marrow from an unrelated donor is used, the pro-
cedure is referred to as allogeneic. If the marrow is
from an identical twin, it is termed syngeneic.
Autologous bone marrow transplantation uses the
patient’s own marrow. Abbreviated BMT. See also
transplant.
bone mineral density
Also known as BMD and
bone density. A measure of bone density, reflecting
the strength of bones as represented by calcium con-
tent. The BMD test detects osteopenia (mild bone
loss, usually without symptoms) and osteoporosis
(more severe bone loss, which may cause symp-
toms). See also 
osteopenia; osteoporosis.
bone scan
A nuclear medicine technique for cre-
ating images of bones on a computer screen or 
on film. A small amount of radioactive material 
is injected into a vein and travels through the 
bloodstream. It collects in the bones, especially in
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abnormal areas of the bones, and is detected by an
instrument called a scanner. Bone scans are used
for the detection and monitoring of disorders that
affect the bones, including Paget disease, cancer,
infections, and fractures. Bone scanning is also
helpful in evaluating and measuring the activity of
certain joint diseases.