US Medical Term · tests
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
Resonancia Magnética (RM)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) |
| Spanish (Español) | Resonancia Magnética (RM) |
| Chinese (中文) | 磁振造影（MRI） |
| Korean (한국어) | MRI (자기공명영상) |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Chụp MRI (Chụp cộng hưởng từ) |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | MRI |
| Portuguese (Português) | Ressonância Magnética (RM) |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | เอ็มอาร์ไอ (การถ่ายภาพด้วยคลื่นแม่เหล็กไฟฟ้า) |
| Japanese (日本語) | MRI（磁気共鳴画像） |
What it means
An MRI uses powerful magnets and radio waves — not radiation — to create detailed images of soft tissues, organs, and the nervous system. You will lie still on a table that slides into a long, tube-shaped machine. The scan takes 20 to 90 minutes depending on the body part being examined. The machine makes loud knocking and thumping noises; you will be given earplugs or headphones. You must remove all metal objects and inform staff of any implants, pacemakers, or metal fragments in your body. Some scans use a contrast agent injected into a vein. MRI is especially useful for brain, spine, and joint conditions where soft tissue detail is important.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have a pacemaker — is it safe for me to have an MRI?
Tengo un marcapasos — ¿es seguro que me hagan una resonancia magnética?
I feel claustrophobic — can I get a sedative before my MRI?
Me siento claustrofóbico — ¿pueden darme un sedante antes de la resonancia?
Do I need to remove my piercings before the MRI?
¿Debo quitarme las perforaciones antes de la resonancia magnética?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026