In what format must images be in so that they can be sent throughout the image viewing system?

Images must be in DICOM format to be effectively sent throughout the image viewing system. DICOM, which stands for Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine, is a standard that ensures the interoperability of medical imaging equipment. This format not only allows for the storage and transmission of images but also incorporates important metadata associated with the images, such as patient information and examination details.

The DICOM standard supports a wide range of imaging modalities, ensuring that images from different types of equipment can be viewed and analyzed within a unified system. This is crucial in clinical settings where various imaging devices (like MRI, CT, ultrasound, etc.) need to communicate seamlessly with each other and with radiology information systems.

In contrast, while formats like JPEG, PACS, and TIFF may be used in different contexts, they do not provide the same level of compatibility or functionality required for medical imaging. JPEG is primarily a compression format and lacks the necessary metadata capabilities. PACS refers to the Picture Archiving and Communication System itself, which utilizes DICOM to store and retrieve images. TIFF is also a versatile format, but it does not handle medical imaging metadata as effectively as DICOM does. Therefore, DICOM format is the appropriate choice for image transmission in radiology.