Which atomic nucleus is most commonly imaged in MRI for clinical purposes?Question 54Select one:a.Hydrogen-1b.Nitrogen-14c.Carbon-13d.Oxygen-16

Answer

The atomic nucleus most commonly imaged in MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) for clinical purposes is Hydrogen-1 (a).

Explanation

1. Why Hydrogen-1?: Hydrogen-1, which consists of a single proton, is abundant in biological tissues, particularly in water and fat. Since human tissues are primarily composed of water, the high density of hydrogen nuclei in these tissues provides strong signal intensity during MRI scans.

2. Comparison with Other Nuclei:

   • Nitrogen-14: While nitrogen is present in proteins, it is less abundant compared to hydrogen in biological tissues.
   • Carbon-13: This isotope of carbon has a low natural abundance and is not commonly used in clinical settings, despite being useful in specific research applications.
   • Oxygen-16: Although oxygen is essential for life, it does not produce as strong a signal as hydrogen-1 in MRI.

Therefore, in the context of clinical MRI applications, Hydrogen-1 is the preferred choice.