Imaging of normal anatomy and anomalies of the brain.

Magnetic resonance imaging permits better delineation of many anatomic structures not resolved with other imaging modalities and, by permitting the behavior of these structures to be observed at different pulse sequences, allows their tissues to be characterized. The literature of the year 1990 to 1991 includes many descriptive reports of normal anatomy, some of which are accompanied by explanations for the MR signal appearance. Familiarity with normal central nervous system structures and with normal MR signal characteristics is essential to avoid mistaking them for pathologic variants.