During your MRI exam, you lie inside the opening of the magnet. The hydrogen atoms in your body react to the magnetic field, the computer reads signals from the atom formation and reconstructs data into detailed images of the body's interior.

Depending on the type of exam your doctor ordered, procedure time varies. The average exam lasts about 45 minutes, once you are situated in the scanner.

The procedure is completely painless. Some MRI patients complain about a closed in, claustrophobic-like sensation inside traditional MRI scanners, which are designed with a narrow "tube" - the center of the donut- shaped machine where the patient lies during the exam. However, it is unlikely you will experience this anxiety because you will be imaged on a new open MRI system, which is designed to be more open.