Imaging Terms, Translated
Radiology reports read like a foreign language because, to most patients, they are one. Here are the twenty words that do the heavy lifting — translated into the language of people.
Imaging reports use a consistent technical vocabulary — hypodense, hyperintense, enhancement, edema, stenosis — that describes how tissues look on each modality, not necessarily how sick they are. Most terms describe appearance; the impression section tells you what the appearance means. Learning the twenty core words converts every future report from mystery to manuscript.
Density and signal words
| Term | Plain English |
|---|---|
| Hypodense / hypoattenuating | Darker than expected (CT) — fluid, fat, or air |
| Hyperdense | Brighter than expected (CT) — blood, calcification, contrast |
| Hyperintense / hypointense | Bright / dark on MRI — meaning depends on the sequence |
| Iso- (isodense, isointense) | Same as the surrounding tissue — the classic hiding strategy of subtle lesions |
| Signal | The brightness information itself — "increased signal" means "brighter than neighbors" |
Contrast and enhancement words
| Term | Plain English |
|---|---|
| Enhancement | Tissue that takes up contrast dye — where blood flow is active |
| Non-enhancing | No dye uptake — usually quiet, often benign |
| Wash-out | Bright early, dark late — a pattern some tumors show |
| Delayed enhancement | Late dye uptake — classic for hemangiomas and scar tissue |
Structure and change words
| Term | Plain English |
|---|---|
| Edema | Fluid swelling — inflammation, injury, or tumor |
| Stenosis | Narrowing — of a vessel, airway, or spinal canal |
| Dilation / ectasia | Widening — of ducts, vessels, ventricles |
| Effusion | Fluid where it should not collect — joint, pleura, pericardium |
| Lesion | Any abnormal spot — the umbrella word, says nothing about cause |
| Mass effect | Something pushing on its neighbors — swelling or growth |
The verdict words (impression section)
| Term | Plain English |
|---|---|
| Unremarkable | Normal — nothing worth remarking |
| Stable | Unchanged from prior scans |
| Cannot exclude | Imaging limits — not a diagnosis |
| Indeterminate | Cannot classify — needs next step |
| Clinical correlation | Interpret with your symptoms and history |
How to use the glossary
Read the impression first (see our report-reading guide), then look up any body-text words that catch your eye. Remember the central rule: these words describe appearance, not verdicts — a "lesion" can be a harmless cyst, an "enhancement" can be healing tissue. The translation runs both ways: appearance words in the body, meaning words in the impression, and the gap between them is exactly what your doctor's explanation supplies.
Reading a report tonight?
Ask our team — then keep the glossary open beside it.
Contact SATMED HealthFrequently asked questions about imaging terms
What does hypodense mean on a CT report?
Darker than the surrounding tissue — usually fluid, fat, or air; the radiologist's impression adds the meaning.
What is enhancement on an MRI?
Tissue taking up contrast dye — active blood flow; the pattern and timing carry the diagnostic weight.
What does unremarkable mean in radiology?
Normal — the best word a report can contain.
Is a lesion always cancer?
No — "lesion" is an umbrella term for any abnormal spot; most are benign.
What does clinical correlation recommended mean?
Match the images against your symptoms and history — the full picture lives outside the scan.
Where can I learn to read the whole report?
Start with our dedicated report-reading guide, then use this glossary for the vocabulary.
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Learn more →Keep reading
More free, clinician-reviewed guides from SATMED Health.
Sources
- RadiologyInfo.org (ACR · RSNA · ASRT). How to Read Your Chest X-ray Report.
- American College of Radiology. ACR Accredited Facilities Database.
- MedlinePlus (NIH). MRI — patient health encyclopedia.
Appearance words, meaning words
Browse more free imaging guides or reach out with any question.
Contact SATMED HealthMedical disclaimer: This article is for education only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always follow the instructions of your imaging facility and your own physician. If you think you are having an emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
Please note: SATMED Health is not a medical facility. Please contact your physician with specific medical questions or for a referral to a radiologist. To locate an accredited medical imaging provider in your community, search the ACR accredited facilities database. This website does not provide cost information; imaging costs vary by region.
