A fluoroscope is a radiological procedure that combines x-rays with a fluorescent screen that reacts to x-rays directly instead of photographic film. As such, it allows the physician to examine moving structures within the body over a period of time. Fluoroscopes, although they use lower doses of radiation than typical x-rays, expose the patient to the x-rays for a much longer period of time. As such, in most cases the physician must balance the benefits of the procedure against the risks posed by the radiation.