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).