MRI TERMINOLOGIES Flashcards
is a continuously changing flow of electrons that alternates its polarity at a periodic rate.
AC
the process of measuring and storing image data.
Acquisition
the total number of independent data samples in the frequency (f) and phase (f) directions.
Acquisition matrix
the period of time required to collect the image data. This time does not include the time necessary to reconstruct the image. ADC - analog-to-digital converter
Acquisition time
the phenomenon resulting from digitizing fewer than two samples per period in a periodic function. __ can occur in MR imaging whenever the area of anatomy extends beyond the field of view. These areas extending beyond the field of view boundaries are aliased back into the image to appear at artifactual locations.
Aliasing (wrap around artifact)
current that continuously changes in magnitude and direction. In the US the current changes at a frequency of 60 Hz.
Alternating current
the signal height. The greater the amplitude of the signal, the larger the number of protons in the image and the brighter it will appear.
Amplitude
being continuous, or having a continuous range of values.
Analog
a system that receives analog input data and produces digital values at its output. Used by the MRI scanner to convert the received signal into a format more compatible with the computer systems.
Analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
a device that enables the sending and/or receiving of electromagnetic waves.
Antenna
the storage of image and patient data for future retrieval.
Archiving
a dedicated computer system used to perform Fourier transformations to accelerate the processing of the received numerical data relative to the MR imaging process.
Array processor
See signal averaging
Averaging
plane, slice or section made by cutting the body or part of it at right angles to the long axis. If the body or part is upright, the cut would be parallel to the horizon. B or Bo - a conventional symbol for the constant magnetic field produced by the large magnet in the MR scanner. B1 - the conventional symbol used for identifying the radio frequency (RF) magnetic field.
Axial
an all-inclusive term referring to the preselected band or range of frequencies which can govern both slice select and signal sampling.
Bandwidth (BW)
a variation in the nominal Larmor frequency for a particular isotope within the imaging volume. The amount of shift introduced is directly proportional to the strength of the magnetic field, and is specified in parts per million (ppm) of the resonant frequency.
Chemical shift
a series of rapidly recorded multiple images taken at sequential cycles of time and displayed on a monitor in a dynamic movie display format. This technique can be used to show true range of motion studies of joints and parts of the spine.
Cine
a large network of interconnecting blood vessels at the base of the brain that when visualized resembles a circle.
Circle of willis
a psychological reaction to being confined in a relatively small area.
Claustrophobia
the ratio of signal intensity differences between two regions,scaled to image noise. Improving CNR increases perception of the distinct differences between two clinical areas of interest.
Contrast-to-noise ratio
the act of maintaining a constant phase relationship between oscillating waves or rotating objects.
Coherence
the relative difference of signal intensities in two adjacent regions of an image. Image contrast is heavily dependent on the chosen imaging technique (i.e., TE, TR, TI), and is associated with such parameters as proton density and T1 or T2 relaxation times.
Contrast
an image phenomenon where the darks become bright, and the brights become dark. This is usually most prevalent in sequences utilizing an extended TR.
Contrast reversal
a plane, slice or section made by cutting across the body from side to side and therefore parallel to the coronal suture of the skull.
Coronal