Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Cat Scan in Spanish: Tomografía computarizada
Tomografía computarizada · noun · toh-moh-grah-FEE-ah kohm-poo-tah-ree-SAH-dah
Tomografía computarizada is the Spanish term for a CT (CAT) scan, a medical imaging procedure that uses X-rays and computer processing to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.
toh-moh-grah-FEE-ah kohm-poo-tah-ree-SAH-dah
El doctor ordenó una tomografía computarizada del abdomen.
The doctor ordered a CT scan of the abdomen.
Cat Scan in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for cat scan, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| tomografía computarizada | cat scan | toh-moh-grah-FEE-ah kohm-poo-tah-ree-SAH-dah | Default, widely understood |
| TAC | cat scan | abbreviation (Tomografía Axial Computarizada) | |
| escáner | cat scan | informal shorthand in some hospitals |
How Native Speakers Use Tomografía computarizada
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Emergency room
Necesitamos hacerle una tomografía computarizada de urgencia.
We need to do an emergency CT scan on you.
A doctor explaining an urgent diagnostic procedure.
Scheduling
Tu cita para la TAC es el martes a las nueve de la mañana.
Your appointment for the CT scan is Tuesday at nine in the morning.
A receptionist confirming a medical appointment.
Results
Los resultados de la tomografía muestran que todo está bien.
The CT scan results show that everything is fine.
A doctor delivering reassuring diagnostic news.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Tomografía computarizada
Saying scan de gato
Incorrect: El doctor quiere un scan de gato.
Correct: El doctor quiere una tomografía computarizada.
CAT in CAT scan stands for Computerized Axial Tomography, not the animal cat — translating it as scan de gato is a humorous but incorrect literal translation.
Wrong article
Incorrect: El tomografía ya está lista.
Correct: La tomografía ya está lista.
Tomografía is a feminine noun ending in -ía, so it takes the feminine article la.
Lock in Cat Scan Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Tomografía computarizada used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using tomografía computarizada in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear El doctor ordenó una tomografía computarizada del abdomen. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
Tap any word to save it. Parrot's spaced-repetition system surfaces it right before you'd forget, no manual flashcard creation. The watch, parrot back, save, review cycle turns recognition into fluency at 2.7x the speed of traditional study.
Common Questions About Cat Scan in Spanish
- How do you say 'CAT scan' in Spanish?
- The full term is tomografía computarizada, and the common abbreviation is TAC (Tomografía Axial Computarizada), used in hospitals throughout Spain and Latin America.
- What does TAC stand for?
- TAC stands for Tomografía Axial Computarizada, the Spanish equivalent of CAT (Computerized Axial Tomography), and is the abbreviation most frequently used in Spanish-language medical settings.
- Is escáner used for CT scans?
- Escáner is sometimes used informally in hospitals as a shorthand, but for clarity in medical contexts the full term tomografía computarizada or the abbreviation TAC is strongly preferred.