Magnetic Resonance Imaging

David Ramsay

Contents

What Is an MRI? Parts of an MRI How an MRI Works Parts In an MRI Machine Benefits of an MRI

What Is an MRI?

An MRI is a Magnetic Resonance Image. It is a medical imaging technique used to visualize detailed internal structures and limited functions of the body.

Parts of an MRI

How does an MRI Work?

A very powerful electromagnet aligns the hydrogen atoms in the body.

Then radio waves are used to realign the hydrogen atoms in the body into different patterns.

Coils around the parts of the body being imaged send and receive radio waves.

A computer processes the signals that are received and translates them into images that can be manipulated to be studied in different angles.

Uses of an MRI

Diagnosing injuries to soft tissues Following up on abnormalities

found in other tests such as an ultra sound or a cancer screening

Looking at portions of the brain to diagnose abnormalities

Viewing blood vessels to monitor abnormal constriction and dilation

Benefits of an MRI

Doesn’t use X-Ray radiation. Excellent image resolution and contrast of

soft tissues and anatomical structures Faster and less labor intensive in comparison

to X-Ray imaging of soft tissues. Doesn’t need contrasting media for taking

images of soft tissues and blood vessels

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_resonance_imaging

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=bodymr#part_five

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/magnetic_resonance_imaging_mri/article_em.htm

http://www.umm.edu/radiology/mri.htm http://health.ucsd.edu/specialties/mri/ptinfo/apps.htm