Anatomy in MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) Essay - 4

Anatomy in MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) - Essay Example These collisions eventually cause the molecules to follow different trajectories, described as random walk. (m852, module1) Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), on the other hand, is another MRI sequence which is indicated for tissues with internal stuctures demonstrating anisotropy similar to that of some crystals, such as white matter axons in the brain or heart muscle fibers. With this anisotropic structure, the water molecules will diffuse faster along the internal structure and slower as it moves perpicularly. Hence, the direction of movement of the molecules, whether parallel or perpendicular to the internal structure will cause a change in the rate of diffusion. The infrastructure of muscle fibre is complicated. This infrastructure determines the functionality of the muscle itself. Diffusion tensor imaging (‘DTI’) is a technique that can be used to better the muscle fibre/functionality relationship (Damon et al, 2002, pp.97-104). In addition to investigation of skeletal muscles, DTI is used for viewing the muscles of the heart, kidney, spinal cord, and brain. DTI is a non-invasive technique that is particularly used for in vivo analysis (Frank et al, 2010, p. 1510). For example, researchers are increasingly interested in the direction information concerning fibrous structures in muscle that DTI can reveal (Villanova et al, 2005, pp 1-38). Direction information concerning fibrous structures in white matter can also be obtained. The following figure, Figure 1, shows Images of the white matters comparing children and adolescents using DTI technology (Barnea Goraly et al 2005, p. 1849). DTI measuring water diffusion in vivo is a pioneering modality (Villanova et al, 2005, pp 1-38). The theory behind DTI is based of cell physiology. Within the cell, the cell membranes and proteins influence the flow of water. These cell membranes and proteins tend to limit the diffusion rate