MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. MRI is a way of getting pictures of various parts of your body without the use of x-rays, unlike regular x-rays pictures and CAT scans. A MRI scanner consists of a large and very strong magnet in which the patient lies. A radio wave antenna is used to send signals* to the body and then receive signals back. These returning signals are converted into pictures by a computer attached to the scanner. Pictures of almost any part of your body can be obtained at almost any particular angle.