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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

MRI Anatomy Quiz: Identify Key Structures and Ace the Test

Think you can master MRI imaging anatomy? Dive in!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art brain and spinal cord MRI slices quiz title on dark blue background

This MRI anatomy quiz helps you spot key structures on cross-sectional scans and check gaps before an exam. Work through real MRI slices, label tissues and landmarks, and build speed for reporting and clinical work. For extra practice, try the interactive MRI set and this brain structure round .

On a sagittal T1-weighted brain MRI, which structure appears as a midline fold separating the cerebral hemispheres?
Tentorium cerebelli
Corpus callosum
Diaphragma sellae
Falx cerebri
The falx cerebri is a dural fold that descends in the longitudinal fissure between the cerebral hemispheres and appears as a linear midline structure on sagittal T1 images. It is composed of dura mater, which has low to intermediate signal intensity on T1-weighted sequences. The tentorium cerebelli, in contrast, separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum.
On an axial T2-weighted brain MRI, which structure appears as hyperintense fluid-filled spaces?
Lateral ventricles
Insula
Caudate nucleus
Thalamus
On T2-weighted images, cerebrospinal fluid within the lateral ventricles appears bright (hyperintense). The caudate nucleus and thalamus are gray matter structures with intermediate signal intensity, while the insula is part of the cerebral cortex.
On an axial T1 MRI of the abdomen, which muscle is seen lateral to the lumbar vertebral bodies?
Psoas major
Iliacus
Erector spinae
Quadratus lumborum
The psoas major muscle lies immediately lateral to the lumbar vertebral bodies on axial images and appears intermediate to low signal on T1. The quadratus lumborum is more posterior, the erector spinae are further posterior and lateral, and the iliacus lies within the pelvis.
On a sagittal T1-weighted brain MRI, which structure sits in the sella turcica and is isointense to brain parenchyma?
Pituitary gland
Mammillary body
Hypothalamus
Pineal gland
The pituitary gland resides within the sella turcica and is generally isointense to brain parenchyma on T1-weighted images. The pineal gland is located posteriorly near the midbrain, the hypothalamus lies superior and anterior to the pituitary stalk, and the mammillary bodies are more posterior.
On a T1-weighted orbit MRI, which structure appears hyperintense due to its high fat content?
Orbital fat
Optic nerve
Lacrimal gland
Extraocular muscles
Fat has high signal intensity on T1-weighted sequences, so the orbital fat appears bright. Extraocular muscles and the optic nerve have intermediate signal, while the lacrimal gland is more intermediate to dark.
On an axial T1 brain MRI, what structure is located lateral to the third ventricle and is part of the diencephalon?
Putamen
Thalamus
Globus pallidus
Caudate nucleus
The thalamus sits medial to the internal capsule and lateral to the third ventricle. It demonstrates intermediate signal on T1-weighted images. The putamen and globus pallidus are part of the basal ganglia but are located more laterally.
On a sagittal proton density MRI of the knee, which ligament is seen connecting the femur to the tibia anteriorly?
Lateral collateral ligament
Posterior cruciate ligament
Anterior cruciate ligament
Medial collateral ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs from the lateral femoral condyle anteriorly to the tibial plateau and appears as a low-signal band on proton density images. The posterior cruciate ligament is located more posteriorly, while the collateral ligaments are extra-articular.
On a T2-weighted brain MRI, which substance appears hyperintense around the sulci and ventricles?
Gray matter
White matter
Cerebrospinal fluid
Bone marrow
On T2-weighted images, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) appears bright, filling the sulci and ventricles. White matter is intermediate to dark, gray matter is intermediate, and bone marrow signal varies.
On a coronal T1-weighted MRI of the liver, which segment is located in the right anterior section of the liver?
Segment II
Segment VIII
Segment IV
Segment V
According to Couinaud's classification, segment V lies in the right anterior inferior section. Segment VIII is right anterior superior, segment II is left lateral, and segment IV is left medial.
On an axial T1 MRI, which abdominal organ shows homogeneous low signal intensity relative to the liver?
Kidney cortex
Pancreas
Adrenal gland
Spleen
The spleen typically appears slightly lower in signal than the liver on T1-weighted images. The pancreas and kidney cortex often appear similar or slightly higher, and the adrenal gland is small with variable signal.
On an axial T1 brain MRI, which structure is part of the basal ganglia, lateral to the caudate nucleus and medial to the external capsule?
Substantia nigra
Globus pallidus
Putamen
Thalamus
The putamen lies lateral to the internal capsule and medial to the external capsule, forming part of the basal ganglia. The globus pallidus sits medial to the putamen, and the thalamus is medial to the internal capsule.
On a sagittal T2-weighted cervical spine MRI, what structure separates each vertebral body and shows a bright signal center?
Nucleus pulposus
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Facet joint
Anterior longitudinal ligament
The intervertebral disc's nucleus pulposus often appears hyperintense on T2-weighted images due to its high water content. The longitudinal ligaments and facet joints are low signal on T2.
On an axial proton density-weighted knee MRI, which structure appears as a C-shaped dark signal between the tibia and femur?
Anterior cruciate ligament
Lateral meniscus
Medial meniscus
Posterior cruciate ligament
Menisci are fibrocartilaginous structures that appear as low-signal, C-shaped bodies between the femur and tibia on proton density images. The medial meniscus is on the inner aspect of the knee.
On a coronal T2-weighted shoulder MRI, which tendon is located at the superior aspect of the humeral head?
Infraspinatus tendon
Teres minor tendon
Subscapularis tendon
Supraspinatus tendon
The supraspinatus tendon runs under the acromion and inserts on the superior facet of the greater tubercle of the humerus, visible on coronal T2 images. The infraspinatus and teres minor are more posterior, and subscapularis is anterior.
On an axial T1-weighted liver MRI, which vessel appears as a low signal branching structure within the liver parenchyma?
Hepatic veins
Bile ducts
Portal veins
Hepatic artery
On T1 images the hepatic veins appear as low-signal tubular structures draining into the inferior vena cava. Portal veins have higher signal on T1 compared to hepatic veins due to slower flow, and the hepatic artery is smaller.
On an axial T2-weighted FLAIR brain MRI, which sulcus is seen separating the frontal and parietal lobes?
Calcarine sulcus
Central sulcus
Sylvian fissure
Parieto-occipital sulcus
The central sulcus separates the precentral (frontal) and postcentral (parietal) gyri and is visible on axial T2 FLAIR as a CSF-filled line. The Sylvian fissure divides temporal from frontal lobes, calcarine sulcus is in the occipital lobe, and parieto-occipital sulcus marks the boundary between parietal and occipital lobes.
On a sagittal T2-weighted lumbar spine MRI, which structure is seen just posterior to the vertebral bodies and anterior to the spinal cord?
Interspinous ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Ligamentum flavum
Supraspinous ligament
The posterior longitudinal ligament runs along the posterior aspect of vertebral bodies inside the spinal canal, just anterior to the thecal sac. The ligamentum flavum is posterior to the spinal cord laminae, and the interspinous and supraspinous ligaments are even more posterior.
On a coronal T1-weighted orbital MRI, which nerve is seen exiting the back of the eye through the optic canal?
Oculomotor nerve
Abducens nerve
Optic nerve
Trochlear nerve
The optic nerve appears as a tubular low-to-intermediate signal structure running from the globe posteriorly through the optic canal. The oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerves are not seen in the orbit on coronal T1 images.
On an axial T2-weighted ankle MRI, which tendon courses along the lateral aspect of the foot and ankle?
Extensor hallucis longus tendon
Tibialis posterior tendon
Peroneus brevis tendon
Achilles tendon
The peroneus brevis tendon runs along the lateral malleolus to insert on the base of the fifth metatarsal and appears intermediate on T2. The Achilles is posterior, tibialis posterior is medial, and extensor hallucis is anterior.
On an axial T1-weighted post-contrast brain MRI, which structure enhances uniformly due to lacking a blood-brain barrier?
Pituitary gland
Thalamus
Caudate nucleus
Cerebellar cortex
The pituitary gland enhances homogeneously after contrast because it is outside the blood-brain barrier. Deep gray matter and cerebellar cortex have an intact barrier and exhibit more subtle enhancement.
On a sagittal T1-weighted brain MRI, which small round structure lies inferior to the hypothalamus at the base of the third ventricle?
Mammillary body
Subthalamic nucleus
Pineal gland
Optic chiasm
The mammillary bodies are paired round structures on the undersurface of the brain at the posterior hypothalamus, visible on sagittal T1 images. They are distinct from the pineal gland (posterior and dorsal) and the optic chiasm (anterior).
On an axial T2-weighted brain MRI, which elongated midbrain structure shows moderate signal between the red nucleus and the cerebral peduncle?
Periaqueductal gray
Substantia nigra
Dentate nucleus
Subthalamic nucleus
The substantia nigra is located in the ventral midbrain between the red nucleus (medial) and the cerebral peduncle (lateral) and has intermediate signal intensity on T2. The other structures lie in different locations or have different signal characteristics.
On a coronal proton density-weighted knee MRI, which part of the medial meniscus is located adjacent to the tibial plateau posteriorly?
Body of medial meniscus
Anterior horn of medial meniscus
Posterior horn of medial meniscus
Lateral meniscus
The posterior horn of the medial meniscus lies at the back of the tibial plateau and appears low signal on proton density images. The anterior horn is anterior, and the body is between the horns.
On a sagittal T2-weighted shoulder MRI, which tendon is seen anterior to the humeral head inserting on the lesser tuberosity?
Infraspinatus tendon
Supraspinatus tendon
Long head of biceps tendon
Subscapularis tendon
The subscapularis tendon passes anterior to the glenohumeral joint and inserts on the lesser tuberosity of the humerus, seen on sagittal T2 images. The supraspinatus is superior, infraspinatus is posterior, and the biceps tendon lies in the bicipital groove.
On an axial T1-weighted upper abdomen MRI, which region contains the portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile ducts as they enter the liver?
Hepatic capsule
Ligamentum teres
Porta hepatis
Falciform ligament
The porta hepatis is the transverse fissure on the liver's visceral surface where the portal triad (portal vein, hepatic artery, bile ducts) enters. The falciform ligament is anterior, the ligamentum teres is a remnant of the umbilical vein, and the capsule encloses the liver.
On an axial T2-weighted pelvic MRI, which structure appears as a low-signal ring at the base of the uterus?
Myometrium
Cervical stroma
Endometrial cavity
Fundus
The cervical stroma is composed of densely packed collagen and smooth muscle, giving it a low signal on T2. The endometrial cavity is bright, the myometrium intermediate, and the fundus is part of the uterine body.
On an axial T1-weighted brain MRI, which structure contains ascending and descending fibers located between the thalamus and the lentiform nucleus?
Anterior commissure
External capsule
Corpus callosum
Internal capsule
The internal capsule lies between the thalamus (medially) and the lentiform nucleus (laterally) and appears relatively hyperintense on T1 due to its high myelin content. The external capsule is lateral to the lentiform nucleus.
On a coronal T2-weighted lumbar spine MRI, which ligament appears as a hypointense band connecting adjacent laminae?
Ligamentum flavum
Supraspinous ligament
Posterior longitudinal ligament
Interspinous ligament
The ligamentum flavum is a highly elastic ligament connecting laminae of adjacent vertebrae and appears dark on T2 due to its dense collagen. The interspinous and supraspinous ligaments lie posterior to the laminae, and the posterior longitudinal ligament is anterior to the canal.
On an axial T2-weighted orbital MRI, which muscle is located medial to the optic nerve and controls inward gaze?
Lateral rectus
Medial rectus
Inferior rectus
Superior oblique
The medial rectus muscle lies immediately medial to the optic nerve and adducts the eye. The lateral rectus lies on the opposite side, the superior oblique is superior and medial with a tendon, and the inferior rectus is inferior.
On a sagittal T1-weighted thoracic spine MRI, which structure is seen within the vertebral canal containing neural tissue?
Conus medullaris
Filum terminale
Cauda equina
Thoracic spinal cord
In the thoracic region, the spinal cord occupies the vertebral canal and appears intermediate signal on T1. The conus medullaris and filum terminale are more caudal in the lumbar spine, and the cauda equina is a bundle of nerve roots below L1.
On diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) MRI, what mechanism leads to restricted diffusion seen in acute cerebral infarction?
Transcytolemmal transport
Vasogenic edema
Cytotoxic edema
Interstitial edema
Cytotoxic edema occurs when ischemia causes failure of ATP?dependent ion pumps, leading to intracellular water accumulation and restricted diffusion on DWI. Vasogenic edema involves extracellular accumulation and does not restrict diffusion.
On proton MR spectroscopy, which metabolite peak is associated with increased cellular proliferation in tumors?
Choline
N-acetylaspartate
Creatine
Lactate
Choline-containing compounds increase in tumors due to elevated membrane turnover and appear as a raised peak at 3.2 ppm on MR spectroscopy. N-acetylaspartate decreases in neuronal loss, lactate may rise in necrosis, and creatine remains stable.
Which MR relaxation time constant describes recovery of longitudinal magnetization?
T2
Proton density
T1
T2*
T1 relaxation time (spin-lattice) reflects the recovery of longitudinal magnetization after an RF pulse. T2 measures transverse decay, T2* includes field inhomogeneity, and proton density is the number of hydrogen nuclei.
In BOLD functional MRI, signal changes correspond most directly to variations in which of the following?
Water diffusion
Magnetization transfer
Glucose metabolism
Deoxyhemoglobin levels
BOLD (Blood Oxygen Level Dependent) fMRI detects changes in local deoxyhemoglobin concentration, which alters magnetic susceptibility and thus signal. It does not measure direct glucose metabolism, diffusion, or magnetization transfer.
In gradient-echo sequences, what artifact accentuates signal loss at tissue interfaces with paramagnetic substances?
Blooming artifact
Chemical shift artifact
Magic angle artifact
Gibbs ringing
Blooming artifact refers to exaggerated signal loss around paramagnetic substances (e.g., blood products) on gradient-echo sequences due to susceptibility effects. Chemical shift, magic angle, and Gibbs ringing are different phenomena.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify fundamental musculoskeletal and soft tissue structures -

    Recognize and label essential anatomical features such as the Achilles tendon, rotator cuff, and other soft tissue elements in MRI scans with confidence.

  2. Differentiate tissue signal characteristics across MRI sequences -

    Analyze T1, T2, and other MRI sequences to distinguish between fat, fluid, and pathological changes in your anatomy imaging quiz practice.

  3. Recognize deep brain structures and key neuroanatomical landmarks -

    Pinpoint critical brain regions like the thalamus, basal ganglia, and brainstem nuclei to strengthen your MRI structure identification capabilities.

  4. Interpret axial, sagittal, and coronal views for precise localization -

    Understand how different imaging planes reveal unique anatomical perspectives, improving your spatial reasoning in MRI imaging anatomy.

  5. Apply anatomical insights to clinical case scenarios -

    Use your MRI anatomy knowledge to analyze sample cases, linking structural identification with real-world diagnostic challenges.

  6. Evaluate imaging findings to reinforce MRI anatomy skills -

    Review correct answers and detailed explanations from the MRI anatomy quiz to solidify your understanding and retain key anatomical concepts.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understanding T1 vs T2 Contrast -

    The distinction between T1-weighted scans (fat bright, CSF dark) and T2-weighted scans (CSF bright, fat intermediate) is fundamental for MRI anatomy quiz success. Recall "T1 loves fat" and "T2 loves fluids" as a simple mnemonic to differentiate contrast. Recognizing these differences helps in audits such as MRI structure identification across various tissues. (Sources: Radiological Society of North America, Gray's Anatomy)

  2. Mnemonic for Basal Ganglia -

    Use "Captain PUG" (Caudate, Putamen, Globus pallidus) to anchor your deep brain structure identification in your next anatomy imaging quiz. On T1, the caudate nucleus appears slightly hypointense compared to the adjacent white matter, aiding rapid MRI imaging anatomy recall. (Source: Radiopaedia)

  3. Achilles Tendon on Sagittal MRI -

    On sagittal T1 and T2 scans, the Achilles tendon appears as a low-signal-intensity band connecting the gastrocnemius-soleus complex to the calcaneus. Recall "SGC" (Soleus, Gastrocnemius, Calcaneus) to trace its course. Assessing continuity and signal uniformity is key for those aiming to learn MRI anatomy. (Source: American College of Radiology)

  4. Intervertebral Disc and Spinal Cord Anatomy -

    On sagittal T2-weighted MRI, the hyperintense nucleus pulposus stands out against the dark annulus fibrosus, guiding you in MRI structure identification of disc herniation levels. The spinal cord's uniform intermediate signal and clear CSF margins on T2 help you localize lesions; see Radiopaedia and ACR guidelines for detailed reference.

  5. Medial vs Lateral Meniscus Shape -

    In coronal MRI slices, the medial meniscus forms a "C" shape and the more circular lateral meniscus resembles an "O"; associate "M - C" (Medial - C) and "L - O" (Lateral - O) for swift identification. This visual cue is a staple for those looking to learn MRI anatomy and ace any imaging quiz. (Source: American Journal of Roentgenology)

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