Medical Imaging Glossary

A gradual loss of brain volume that is often part of normal aging.

A collection of blood between the brain and its outer covering, often after a head injury.

Enlargement of the fluid-filled spaces (ventricles) inside the brain.

Bright spots on brain MRI that are often related to small blood vessel changes.

A spinal disc that has bulged or ruptured, sometimes pressing on a nearby nerve.

A small outgrowth of bone, often called a bone spur, that forms near a joint or spinal disc due to wear and tear.

A narrowing of the spinal canal or nerve openings that may put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves.

Age-related wear and tear changes in the bones and discs of the spine.

A small area of lung that has not fully inflated, often temporary and harmless.

A small calcium deposit that shows up as a bright spot on X-ray or CT.

A heart that looks larger than expected on a chest X-ray.

An area of lung where air sacs are filled with fluid or cells instead of air.

A hazy, frosted-glass area seen on CT scans of the lungs.

A small round or oval spot seen on a chest X-ray or CT scan.

Enlarged lymph nodes in the central chest; it is a finding with many possible causes, not a diagnosis by itself.

Extra fluid that has collected in the space between the lung and the chest wall.

Air leaking into the space around the lung, which can cause part or all of the lung to collapse.

Excess fluid in the lungs that makes breathing difficult; it often relates to heart or kidney problems.

A balloon-like bulge in the wall of the abdominal aorta. Small ones are often watched; large ones can be life-threatening if they rupture.

A small spot on the adrenal gland, usually found by chance on abdominal imaging.

A small growth projecting from the inner wall of the gallbladder, usually seen on ultrasound.

A fluid-filled sac in the kidney, very common and usually benign.

A fluid-filled sac in the liver, usually harmless.

An abnormal area in the pancreas that needs further characterization; many are cysts and not cancerous.

A fluid-filled sac that forms on or inside an ovary; most are related to the menstrual cycle and are benign.

A tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, one of the main stabilizing ligaments inside the knee.

Inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac that cushions a joint, tendon, or bone.

A tear in the C-shaped cartilage cushion inside the knee, often caused by twisting or wear over time.

A tear in one or more of the tendons that stabilize and move the shoulder.

Irritation, swelling, or degeneration of a tendon, usually from overuse.

A nodule that appears darker than surrounding tissue on ultrasound.

A lump or growth within the thyroid gland at the front of the neck.

A standard 0-to-6 scoring system that summarizes breast imaging findings and guides follow-up.

The imaging finding should be interpreted together with your symptoms, exam, and medical history.

The radiologist suggests a later scan or test to monitor a finding over time.

The scan did not show any problem that needs emergency treatment, though it does not always mean completely normal.

A radiology term meaning no abnormality was seen in the area described.