MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It is a relatively new technology that allows imaging of the interior of the body without using x-rays or other types of ionizing radiation. An MRI scan is capable of showing fine detail of different tissues. Its use is rapidly increasing while the use of standard x-rays is decreasing.
Review Date: 6/8/2008 Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
