Which imaging technique primarily shows brain anatomy?

• A. MRI
• B. fMRI
• C. CT
• D. EEG

Answer: (A)

Structural imaging aims to reveal brain anatomy, and MRI excels at this because it provides extremely detailed pictures of brain tissue with high spatial resolution. MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to differentiate between different soft tissues, giving clear, crisp images of structures like gray and white matter without exposing the brain to ionizing radiation. CT also shows anatomy and is quick, but it has lower soft-tissue contrast and uses X-rays. Functional imaging, such as fMRI, is about detecting activity by measuring blood flow changes, not the static structure, while EEG records electrical activity with limited detail about where in the brain things are occurring. So for showing the brain’s anatomy, MRI is the best choice.