Radiology Terminology List: A Patient’s Guide to Understanding Your Imaging Report

Radiology Terminology List: A Patient’s Guide

You may have encountered unfamiliar medical terms if you’ve ever received a radiology report from an MRI, CT scan, or X-ray. Radiology reports often include technical language that can be difficult to understand, leaving many patients confused about their results.

To help you interpret your report, we’ve compiled a list of standard radiology terms and their meanings in simple, patient-friendly language.

Basic Radiology Terms

🔹 Radiology – The medical field uses imaging techniques like X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds to diagnose conditions.

🔹 DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) – The standard format for storing and sharing medical images.

🔹 Contrast Dye – A unique substance used in some imaging scans to enhance the visibility of specific structures (e.g., blood vessels, organs, or tumors).

🔹 Artifact – A distortion or error in an image that patient movement, metal implants, or technical issues may cause.

Anatomical & Structural Terms

🔹 Anterior – The front side of the body.

🔹 Posterior – The back side of the body.

🔹 Medial – Toward the midline of the body.

🔹 Lateral – Away from the midline (toward the side).

🔹 Superior – Above or higher.

🔹 Inferior – Below or lower.

🔹 Proximal – Closer to the center of the body.

🔹 Distal – Farther from the center of the body.

MRI & CT Scan Terminology

🔹 T1-Weighted (T1) Image – An MRI sequence that provides clear images of fat, soft tissues, and anatomical structures.

🔹 T2-Weighted (T2) Image – An MRI sequence highlighting fluid, swelling, and inflammation.

🔹 FLAIR (Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery) – A specialized MRI sequence that helps detect brain lesions, multiple sclerosis (MS), and strokes.

🔹 Hyperintense – A bright area on an MRI scan, often indicating fluid, inflammation, or active disease.

🔹 Hypointense – A dark area on an MRI scan, which may represent scar tissue, calcifications, or low-density structures.

🔹 Enhancement – An area “lights up” after contrast dye is used, often indicating tumors, inflammation, or abnormal blood flow.

🔹 Attenuation – The degree to which tissues absorb X-ray or CT scan radiation, affecting how they appear on the scan.

🔹 Calcification – Areas of hardened tissue or calcium deposits, often seen in arteries, tendons, or old injuries.

🔹 Mass Effect – When a large tumor, cyst, or swelling pushes on surrounding tissues, causing displacement or pressure-related symptoms.

Common Findings & Diagnoses

🔹 Lesion – A general term for an abnormal area in tissue, which could be a cyst, tumor, scar, or infection.

🔹 Nodule – A small, solid growth that may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

🔹 Edema – Swelling caused by fluid buildup, often seen in soft tissues, joints, or the brain.

🔹 Effusion – An abnormal fluid collection, often in the lungs, joints, or abdomen.

🔹 Herniation – When tissue pushes out of its usual location, such as a herniated disc in the spine.

🔹 Sclerosis – Hardening of tissue, often due to arthritis, bone disease, or multiple sclerosis (MS).

🔹 Stenosis – Narrowing of a passageway, such as spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal) or carotid stenosis (narrowing of neck arteries).

🔹 Necrosis – Tissue death caused by lack of blood supply or infection.

🔹 Atrophy – Shrinking or wasting away of tissue, commonly seen in muscles or the brain (neurodegeneration).

🔹 Cyst – A fluid-filled sac usually benign but may require monitoring.

🔹 Tumor – An abnormal growth of cells, which may be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Fracture & Bone-Related Terms

🔹 Comminuted Fracture – A bone fracture that results in multiple broken pieces.

🔹 Greenstick Fracture – A partial fracture where the bone bends and cracks, common in children.

🔹 Osteophyte – A bone spur often caused by arthritis.

🔹 Degenerative Changes – Signs of wear and tear on joints or bones, such as osteoarthritis.

🔹 Bone Marrow Edema – Swelling inside the bone, often due to injury or stress fractures.

Cardiovascular & Vascular Terms

🔹 Aneurysm – A weakened, bulging section of an artery that may rupture.

🔹 Thrombosis – A blood clot inside a blood vessel.

🔹 Embolism – A clot or foreign material that travels through the bloodstream, potentially blocking a vessel.

🔹 Ischemia – Reduced blood flow to an organ, often caused by blocked arteries.

🔹 Infarct – Tissue death due to lack of oxygen, commonly seen in strokes or heart attacks.

How to Interpret Your Radiology Report

If you receive an MRI, CT, or X-ray report, here’s how to break it down:

✔ Findings – Describes what was observed (e.g., “small meniscus tear in the right knee”).

✔ Impression – The radiologist’s final interpretation and key takeaways.

✔ Comparison – If you had a prior scan, this section notes any changes over time.

✔ Recommendations – Suggested next steps, such as additional testing or treatment.

If you’re unsure about your report, your doctor or a radiologist can clarify the findings.

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Radiology reports contain complex medical terminology, but understanding standard terms can help you better interpret your results. Discuss your findings with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment options.

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