A processed infrared image is referred to as a Thermogram.

Such an  image is, at the outset, a grey scale digital image. The colour images we are used to seeing are produced in the image analysis software by false colouration. While different palettes can be employed the ISO (International Standards Organization) in a  shortly to be published document outlining guidelines for using equipment for Medical Thermography will probably recommended the use of the palette "Rainbow", where the red and blue colours respectively represent the higher and lower end of the temperature scale chosen for Medical Imaging.

For interpretation purposes it is essential that all Thermograms are accompanied by a temperature scale.

The ISO document will also be recommending that only infrared devices capable of producing radiometric images be used for Medical Imaging (i.e. images from which quantitative measurements of temperature can be obtained).