MRI
UK[ˌem ɑːr ˈaɪ]US[ˌem ɑːr ˈaɪ]
n
A medical imaging technique that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed pictures of the inside of the body.
Etymology
The term MRI is a modern initialism, coined in the late 20th century to describe a revolutionary diagnostic technology. It is an abbreviation for "Magnetic Resonance Imaging", where 'magnetic' refers to the use of a powerful magnet, 'resonance' describes the interaction between radio waves and atomic nuclei in the body's tissues, and 'imaging' denotes the process of creating visual pictures. The name directly and logically describes the core physical principles of the technique, evolving from the scientific vocabulary of physics and radiology into a standard term in medical practice.
Analysis
This is an initialism, not a word formed from combinable morphemes. The letters M, R, and I stand for the separate words "Magnetic Resonance Imaging".
Examples
The doctor ordered an MRI to get a clearer view of the patient's knee injury.
Unlike an X-ray, an MRI does not use ionizing radiation.
The MRI scan revealed a small tumor that required immediate attention.