DExA measures bone density at which locations?

• A. Hip and spine
• B. Skull and spine
• C. Forearm and ankle
• D. Whole body

Answer: (A)

DExA (DXA) uses a low-dose X-ray to measure bone mineral density at specific sites that best reflect fracture risk. The sites chosen are the hip and the lumbar spine because they provide the strongest prediction of osteoporotic fractures and are the standard reference points for diagnosis. The spine, rich in trabecular bone, shows changes earlier, while the hip is a critical predictor of hip fracture risk, which carries serious consequences. Other sites like the skull aren’t used because skull density isn’t reliable for osteoporosis and can be affected by calcifications and degenerative changes, making results less meaningful. Whole-body scanning isn’t the typical approach for diagnosing osteoporosis, and peripheral sites such as the forearm can only serve as alternatives when hip or spine measurements aren’t possible. So the primary measurements are at the hip and spine.