Question 1

How do you say MRI in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

MRI is "la resonancia magnética," usually shortened to "la resonancia" in conversation. The initials MRI are not used in Spanish, so say the full term the first time.

Question 2

How do you say CT scan in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

A CT scan is "la tomografía computarizada." In most of Latin America patients call it "el TAC" — if you say only "CT" they may not understand.

Question 3

How do you say X-ray in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

"La radiografía" is the clinical term. Many patients say "los rayos X," and both are understood everywhere.

Question 4

What should I ask a patient before an MRI in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

Two safety questions matter most: "¿Tiene algún metal en el cuerpo?" (Do you have any metal in your body?) and "¿Sufre de claustrofobia?" (Are you claustrophobic?). For imaging with radiation, add "¿Podría estar embarazada?"

English	Spanish	Audio
X-ray	la radiografía Patients also say "los rayos X".
CT scan	la tomografía computarizada Commonly shortened to "el TAC" or "la tomografía".
MRI	la resonancia magnética Often shortened to "la resonancia".
ultrasound	el ultrasonido / la ecografía
mammogram	la mamografía
EKG / ECG	el electrocardiograma
blood test	el análisis de sangre / los exámenes de sangre
urine test	el análisis de orina
biopsy	la biopsia
contrast dye	el medio de contraste
results	los resultados
normal / abnormal	normal / anormal
Are you claustrophobic?	¿Sufre de claustrofobia?
Do you have any metal in your body?	¿Tiene algún metal en el cuerpo? Essential MRI safety screening question.
Do not move.	No se mueva.
Hold your breath.	Aguante la respiración.
Do not eat before the test.	No coma antes del examen.
Could you be pregnant?	¿Podría estar embarazada?

Imaging and Lab Tests in Spanish

Using these terms with patients

Go beyond vocabulary

Frequently Asked Questions