For centuries, the only way to know what was happening inside our bodies was to open them up, and look. Everything changed very late in the 19th century and throughout 20th century, with the development of increasingly powerful medical imaging tools such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and ultrasound. Today, X-rays can depict tiny bone cracks, ultrasound can visualize heart valve dysfunction, CT can map our vascular system, MRI can see small brain defects, and PET imaging can help identify aggressive cancers. In this seminar, we will discuss the magic of medical imaging and the principles and technologies behind these tools that enable seeing inside our body. We will discuss the main medical imaging modalities, and discuss their applications with real life examples. Students will learn about medical imaging as well as about common conditions and diseases, and aspects of human anatomy. Essential components of the seminar include active participation during the discussions and student-led presentations on medical imaging topics of interest. The seminar has no prerequisite other than an interest in medical imaging and curiosity about the human body.
3 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit · GER: WAY-AQR, WAY-SMA
For centuries, the only way to know what was happening inside our bodies was to open them up, and look. Everything changed very late in the 19th century and throughout 20th century, with the development of increasingly powerful medical imaging tools such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and ultrasound. Today, X-rays can depict tiny bone cracks, ultrasound can visualize heart valve dysfunction, CT can map our vascular system, MRI can see small brain defects, and PET imaging can help identify aggressive cancers. In this seminar, we will discuss the magic of medical imaging and the principles and technologies behind these tools that enable seeing inside our body. We will discuss the main medical imaging modalities, and discuss their applications with real life examples. Students will learn about medical imaging as well as about common conditions and diseases, and aspects of human anatomy. Essential components of the seminar include active participation during the discussions and student-led presentations on medical imaging topics of interest. The seminar has no prerequisite other than an interest in medical imaging and curiosity about the human body.
Offered in Winter 2026 at Stanford University.