Net Magnetization Vector (NMV) - Video Lesson

Hey, everybody. Welcome to today's lesson about the basic principles of MRI. This lesson will discuss the net magnetization vector, the relationship between the NMV and magnetic field strength, and the relationship between the NMV and the strength of the MRI signal. It is important to understand these concepts because the size of the NMV is directly related to signal strength, which impacts image quality in MRI. Let's start by defining net magnetization vector or NMV. Remember, when we place a patient in an MRI machine, they are exposed to a strong static external magnetic field, b sub zero. The hydrogen nuclei then align themselves either parallel or anti parallel to the magnetic field depending on if they are low energy nuclei or high energy nuclei. The NMV is the difference between low energy and high energy nuclei. The NMV can be thought of as one large magnetic moment, which is