What is the name of the transmitting antenna surrounding the patient in all MRI systems?

The body coil is the correct term used to describe the transmitting antenna that surrounds the patient in MRI systems. This coiled structure is designed to generate the radiofrequency (RF) pulses necessary for exciting the hydrogen nuclei in the patient's body, which are then detected during imaging sequences. The body coil plays a crucial role in ensuring uniform RF excitation across the volume of interest, facilitating effective signal reception for creating high-quality images.

In contrast, other components like the magnet ring primarily refer to the superconducting magnet that creates the magnetic field for imaging, while the receiver coil is responsible for collecting the signals emitted from the excited hydrogen atoms rather than transmitting RF energy. The transmit coil may describe specialized coils dedicated solely to transmission but is not the term most commonly accepted for the general transmitting antenna used in all MRI systems. Understanding these distinctions is essential for grasping how MRI technology functions and the roles of various components involved in the imaging process.