医学影像术语表

用通俗语言解释放射学术语——为患者而非医生编写

B

Benign

Benign means a finding is not cancerous and is generally not harmful — it is the best outcome when something abnormal appears on a scan.

MRICTUltrasoundMammogramX-ray

BI-RADS

BI-RADS is a scoring system (0–6) used to classify mammogram and breast ultrasound findings — the number tells your doctor what to do next.

MammogramUltrasoundMRI

C

Calcification

Calcification refers to small deposits of calcium in tissue that show up as bright white spots on imaging — most are harmless.

MammogramCTX-ray

Cardiomegaly

Cardiomegaly means an enlarged heart as seen on imaging — it is a finding, not a disease, and has many possible causes.

X-rayCT

Cyst

A cyst is a fluid-filled sac that appears on imaging — the vast majority of cysts are benign and do not require treatment.

UltrasoundCTMRIMammogram

F

Fleischner Criteria

The Fleischner Criteria are guidelines that tell doctors how to follow up on small lung nodules found on CT scans — most small nodules need only monitoring.

G

Ground-Glass Opacity

Ground-glass opacity (GGO) is a hazy, translucent area on a lung CT scan — it can be caused by infection, inflammation, or other conditions.

H

Hyperintensity

Hyperintensity refers to a bright area on an MRI scan — it indicates tissue with different properties but does not automatically mean something is wrong.

MRI

Hypoechoic

Hypoechoic means an area appears darker than surrounding tissue on ultrasound — it describes how the tissue reflects sound waves, not whether it is dangerous.

Ultrasound

I

Impression

The Impression is the radiologist's summary at the end of your imaging report — it contains the most important findings and recommendations.

X-rayCTMRIUltrasoundMammogram

Incidental Finding

An incidental finding is something unexpected that shows up on your scan when the doctor was looking for something else — most are harmless.

CTMRIUltrasoundX-ray

L

Lesion

A lesion is any area of abnormal tissue found on a medical imaging scan — it does not automatically mean cancer.

MRICTUltrasoundX-ray

M

Malignant

Malignant means a finding is cancerous or has the potential to spread — but imaging alone cannot confirm malignancy without a biopsy.

MRICTUltrasoundMammogramX-ray

Mass

A mass is a lump or growth larger than 3 cm seen on imaging — it can be benign or malignant and usually requires further evaluation.

CTMRIUltrasoundMammogramX-ray

N

Nodule

A nodule is a small, rounded growth found on imaging — most nodules, especially small ones, are benign and require only routine monitoring.

CTX-rayUltrasoundMRI

O

Opacity

An opacity is a white or hazy area on a chest X-ray — it can indicate fluid, infection, inflammation, or other conditions.

X-rayCT

T

TI-RADS

TI-RADS is a scoring system (TR1–TR5) used to classify thyroid nodules on ultrasound — the score guides whether a biopsy is needed.

Ultrasound

Tumor

A tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue that can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous) — imaging alone cannot always tell the difference.

MRICTUltrasoundX-ray

U

Unremarkable

When a radiology report says 'unremarkable,' it means that area looks completely normal — it is actually good news.

X-rayCTMRIUltrasoundMammogram

W

Within Normal Limits

Within Normal Limits (WNL) means the finding falls inside the expected range for a healthy person — it is the radiologist's way of saying 'normal.'

X-rayCTMRIUltrasoundMammogram

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