Definition - What does MRI mean?
An MRI is an acronym that refers to magnetic resonance imaging. It is a clinical technique used to view organs, tissues, and the skeletal structure based on a magnetic field that realigns water molecules in the body concentrated by radio waves to produce a clear visual. A cross-sectional view of the MRI image(s) shows different axial planes of the structure to assist in the diagnosis of a health issue.SureHire explains MRI
An MRI machine involves the patient lying on a table that retracts into a cylinder with a magnetic field running parallel to the body to discharge radio waves. Metal devices/implants (i.e., metal pins/plates/screws) can pose a safety risk since they have equal polarity (attraction) values to the magnets fitted to the MRI machine. The patient must remove loose items with a metal base (i.e., jewelry) that might neutralize the magnetic field variance, causing a blurred MRI image. A physician may call for an MRI imaging test to chart the prognosis of a health condition. In radiology, there are different subsets of MRI testing: bones/joints, brain/spinal cord, blood vessels/heart, internal organs, and MRIs of the breasts. In some cases, a contrast dye injected into a vein in the hand/arm can enhance the quality of MRI images filtered by high resolution to view test results.
New MRI technology compensates for images not captured by a traditional MRI machine where the patient must lie down. For example, spinal instability is when a patient has bouts of pain from sitting/standing due to the misalignment of vertebrae. However, an upright MRI machine model can adjust for the difference as the patient sits upright. After an MRI, the radiologist will look at the biofeedback and forward the readout to the doctor charged with the patient's care.
