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Summary
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a large magnet and radio waves to look at organs and structures inside your body. Health care professionals use MRI scans to diagnose a variety of conditions, from torn ligaments to tumors. MRIs are very useful for examining the brain and spinal cord.
During the scan, you lie on a table that slides inside a tunnel-shaped machine. Doing the scan can take a long time, and you must stay still. The scan is painless. The MRI machine makes a lot of noise. The technician may offer you earplugs.
Before you get a scan, tell your doctor if you :
- Are pregnant
- Have pieces of metal in your body. You might have metal in your body if you have a shrapnel or bullet injury or if you are a welder.
- Have metal or electronic devices in your body, such as a cardiac pacemaker or a metal artificial joint
Related Issues
- Contrast Materials (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- How to Read Your Radiology Report (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Safety (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- MRI: Is Gadolinium Safe for People with Kidney Problems? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
Specifics
- Body MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Brain MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Breast MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Chest MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America)
- Functional MRI (fMRI) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Heart Tests (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) Also in Spanish
- Knee MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Magnetic Resonance (MR) Defecography (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- MR Angiography (MRA) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- MR Enterography (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Musculoskeletal MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Pelvic Floor MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Prostate MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Shoulder MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Spine MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
- Tests for Lung Disease (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) Also in Spanish
- Urography (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Videos and Tutorials
- Getting an MRI (For Kids) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Your Radiologist Explains Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America)
Statistics and Research
- Brain Scans Offer Insights into Loss of Money Skills (National Institute on Aging)
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Default mode network and dorsal attentional network connectivity changes as neural...
- Article: Connectivity-Based Real-Time Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Neurofeedback in Nicotine Users: Mechanistic...
- Article: Comparative effects of topiramate and naltrexone on neural activity during anticipatory...
- MRI Scans -- see more articles
Reference Desk
- RadiologyInfo: Glossary of Terms (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Find an Expert
- American College of Radiology Accredited Facility Search (American College of Radiology)
- Food and Drug Administration
- RadiologyInfo (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Children
- Keeping Kids Still during Exams (American Society of Radiologic Technologists) - PDF - In English and Spanish
- Pediatric MRI (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Women
- MRI Safety during Pregnancy (American College of Radiology; Radiological Society of North America) Also in Spanish
Patient Handouts
- Abdominal MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Arm MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Chest MRI (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Head MRI (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Heart MRI (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Leg MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Lumbar MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- MRI and low back pain (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Pelvis MRI scan (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.