Figure 1: The lipid bilayer and the structure and composition of a glycerophospholipid molecule. (A) The plasma membrane of a cell is a bilayer of glycerophospholipid molecules. (B) A single glycerophospholipid molecule is composed of two major regions: a hydrophilic head (green) and hydrophobic tails (purple). (C) The subregions of a glycerophospholipid molecule; phosphatidylcholine is shown as an example.
What is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a diagnostic procedure that uses a combination of a large magnet, radiofrequencies, and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures within the body. Unlike X-rays or computed tomography (CT scans), MRI does not use ionizing radiation.
MRI is a noninvasive way for your doctor to examine your organs, tissues and skeletal system. It produces high-resolution images of the inside of the body that help diagnose a variety of problems. MRI of the brain and spinal cord. MRI is the most frequently used imaging test of the brain and spinal cord. It's often performed to help diagnose: Aneurysms of cerebral vessels; Disorders of the eye and inner ear; Multiple sclerosis; Spinal cord injuries; Stroke; Tumors; Brain injury from trauma; A special type of MRI is the functional MRI of the brain (fMRI). It measures the metabolic changes that occur within the brain. It may be used to examine the brain's anatomy and determine which parts of the brain are handling critical functions.