T2 relaxation

T2 relaxation refers to the process by which the magnetic signals from protons in tissues gradually lose coherence after being excited by a magnetic field in MRI. When the MRI machine applies a radiofrequency pulse, protons in different tissue environments start to spin out of sync over time. T2 relaxation measures how quickly these signals diminish, which varies depending on tissue type. This information helps differentiate between normal and abnormal tissues, such as identifying inflammation or tumors, because different tissues have distinct T2 relaxation times. It’s a fundamental principle used to generate detailed images of the body’s internal structures.