Many people have confusion about the difference between an X-Ray and an MRI. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. According to Mayo Clinic, “Magnetic resonance imaging is a medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in your body.”(1) MRI scans are similar to X-Rays, however MRI’s look at soft tissue such as the following: lungs, brain, heart, tendons and muscles; as opposed to X-Ray scans which show bone. MRI’s have very good special resolution (down to the millimeters) which is why it is easy to find damage to tissues and where they are located. I am able to apply the concept of MRI’s personally because I have had both MRI’s and X Ray’s done.
Initaially I was confused between the differences of an X-Ray and MRI, however now fully understand that they are two different machines with different functions. For example, roughly four years ago I sprained my foot coming down out of a cheerleading stunt. I was given an MRI, which was able to show stretched ligaments, being it is soft tissue. A year later, I was dropped head first onto a gymnasium floor out of a stunt. Moreover, I was diagnosed with a concussion as well as given an X-Ray which showed that I had fractured my left orbital socket. An MRI would not have shown a fracture because MRI’s don’t pick up bone.
I hope this clarifies what an MRI is and it’s functions. Below is an image of an MRI Machine and an X Ray Machine.
MRI
Accorning to The Mayo Clinic, “Most MRI machines are large, tube-shaped magnets. When you lie inside an MRI machine, the magnetic field temporarily realigns water molecules in your body.” (1)
X-RAY Machine
Sources:
“MRI.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 3 Aug. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/mri/about/pac-20384768.
Bing and Google picture was used to find images of the MRI and X-Ray Machines.