How Does Magnetic Resonance Imaging Work?
• Instead of using x-rays, MRI uses a powerful magnetic field and radio frequency waves. Many changes in tissue can be evaluated by MRI. This information will give doctors valuable information that is available by other diagnostic tests. • The body is made up of atoms. These atoms have a magnetic charge. When the body is placed in a strong magnetic field , these atoms tend to line up with the magnetic field. Radio waves (similar to those used for TV) are then sent into the body, which alters the alignment of the atoms. When the radio waves are stopped, the atoms generate a weak radio signal that the machine detects. These radio signals are then put into a computer. The result is an image that looks like the body’s anatomy.
