Radiology Education Hub
Radiology findings explained in plain English
This hub organizes common radiology findings into plain-English groups so patients can understand what a term usually means, how concerning it may be, and what follow-up doctors may consider. Use it to move between finding guides, symptom pages, and copied-from-report phrase explanations without getting stuck on an orphan page.
Currently linking 93 finding guides plus symptom pages that map to common imaging search intent.
Start here based on what you have
A radiology finding term
Go straight to the finding guides if your report already uses a specific term.
Copied report wording
Use phrase pages when you want a plain-English explanation of the exact wording in your report.
A symptom or question
Use symptom pages if you are starting before imaging or trying to understand why a scan was ordered.
Need Help With Your Own Report?
Understand Your Radiology Report
Paste your radiology report into RadDx and get a calm, plain-English explanation of the report language.
Educational only. RadDx helps explain report wording and does not replace clinician guidance.
Works with CT, MRI, ultrasound, and X-ray reports.
Abdomen findings
Plain-English guides to common abdomen imaging findings, with typical follow-up context and report wording examples.
Abdominal Lymphadenopathy
Abdominal Lymphadenopathy is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Adrenal Adenoma
An adrenal adenoma is a usually benign adrenal gland nodule often found incidentally.
Adrenal Hyperplasia
Adrenal Hyperplasia is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Adrenal Mass
Adrenal Mass is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Appendicitis On CT
Appendicitis On CT is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Appendicolith
Appendicolith is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Ascites
Ascites is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Biliary Duct Dilation
Biliary Duct Dilation is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Bowel Wall Thickening
Bowel Wall Thickening is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Cholecystitis
Cholecystitis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Cholelithiasis
Cholelithiasis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Chronic Small Vessel Ischemic Changes
Chronic Small Vessel Ischemic Changes is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Cirrhotic Liver
Cirrhotic Liver is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Colonic Mass
Colonic Mass is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Colonic Polyp
Colonic Polyp is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Common Bile Duct Dilation
Common Bile Duct Dilation is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Complex Renal Cyst
Complex Renal Cyst is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis means small pouches are present in the colon wall, often found incidentally on abdominal imaging.
Enlarged Mediastinal Lymph Node
Enlarged Mediastinal Lymph Node is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Fatty Liver
Fatty Liver is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Gallstones
Gallstones are solid deposits in the gallbladder seen on imaging.
Hepatic Hemangioma
Hepatic Hemangioma is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Hepatic Steatosis
Hepatic steatosis means fat was seen in the liver on imaging.
Hydronephrosis
Hydronephrosis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Kidney Cyst
A kidney cyst is a fluid-filled sac in the kidney, often found incidentally.
Liver Cyst
Liver Cyst is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Liver Lesion
Liver lesion is a broad term for a focal area in the liver that looks different from surrounding tissue.
Mesenteric Lymphadenopathy
Mesenteric Lymphadenopathy is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Pancreatic Cyst
A pancreatic cyst is a fluid-containing lesion in the pancreas seen on imaging.
Pancreatic Duct Dilation
Pancreatic Duct Dilation is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Renal Atrophy
Renal Atrophy is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Renal Mass
A renal mass is a focal area in the kidney that looks different from surrounding tissue on imaging.
Renal Scarring
Renal Scarring is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Splenomegaly
Splenomegaly means the spleen is enlarged on imaging.
Brain findings
Plain-English guides to common brain imaging findings, with typical follow-up context and report wording examples.
Arachnoid Cyst
Arachnoid Cyst is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Brain Lesion
Brain lesion is a broad term for an abnormal area seen in the brain on imaging.
Meningioma
Meningioma is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
White Matter Hyperintensities
White Matter Hyperintensities is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Chest findings
Plain-English guides to common chest imaging findings, with typical follow-up context and report wording examples.
Air Trapping
Air Trapping is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Aneurysm is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Aortic Atherosclerosis
Aortic Atherosclerosis is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Aortic Dissection
Aortic Dissection is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Ascending Aortic Aneurysm
Ascending Aortic Aneurysm is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Calcified Lung Nodule
Calcified Lung Nodule is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Cardiomegaly
Cardiomegaly is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Coronary Artery Calcification
Coronary Artery Calcification is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Descending Aortic Aneurysm
Descending Aortic Aneurysm is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Ground-Glass Opacity
Ground-glass opacity is a hazy area in the lung seen on CT that does not fully hide the lung structures underneath.
Hiatal Hernia
Hiatal hernia means part of the stomach extends upward through the diaphragm.
Lung Nodule
A lung nodule is a small spot in the lung, often found incidentally on chest CT.
Lung Opacity
Lung opacity is a broad radiology term for an area of increased density in the lung on imaging.
Mastoid Effusion
Mastoid Effusion is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Pericardial Effusion
Pericardial Effusion is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Pleural Plaque
Pleural Plaque is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism means a blood clot is seen in the arteries of the lungs.
Pulmonary Scarring
Pulmonary Scarring is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
General findings
Plain-English guides to common general imaging findings, with typical follow-up context and report wording examples.
Atelectasis
Atelectasis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Benign Calcification
Benign Calcification is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Bronchiectasis
Bronchiectasis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Emphysema
Emphysema is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Enlarged Lymph Nodes Chest
Enlarged Lymph Nodes Chest is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Focal Nodular Hyperplasia
Focal Nodular Hyperplasia is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Musculoskeletal findings
Plain-English guides to common musculoskeletal imaging findings, with typical follow-up context and report wording examples.
Axillary Lymph Node
Axillary Lymph Node is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Baker Cyst
Baker Cyst is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Bone Cyst
Bone Cyst is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Bone Island
Bone Island is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Bone Lesion
Bone Lesion is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Bone Tumor
Bone Tumor is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Breast Calcification
Breast Calcification is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Sacroiliitis
Sacroiliitis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Neck findings
Plain-English guides to common neck imaging findings, with typical follow-up context and report wording examples.
Carotid Calcification
Carotid Calcification is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Enlarged Cervical Lymph Node
Enlarged Cervical Lymph Node is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Thyroid Enlargement
Thyroid Enlargement is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Thyroid Nodule
A thyroid nodule is a focal lump or small area in the thyroid gland seen on imaging.
Pelvis findings
Plain-English guides to common pelvis imaging findings, with typical follow-up context and report wording examples.
Bladder Mass
Bladder Mass is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Bladder Stone
Bladder Stone is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Bladder Wall Thickening
Bladder Wall Thickening is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Endometrial Thickening
Endometrial Thickening is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Enlarged Prostate
Enlarged Prostate is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Ovarian Cyst
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled structure in or on the ovary, commonly seen on pelvic imaging.
Ovarian Mass
Ovarian Mass is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Pelvic Free Fluid
Pelvic Free Fluid is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Prostate Enlargement
Prostate Enlargement is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Uterine Fibroid
Uterine Fibroid is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Spine findings
Plain-English guides to common spine imaging findings, with typical follow-up context and report wording examples.
Compression Fracture
Compression Fracture is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease means the spinal discs show age-related wear or dehydration on imaging.
Disc Bulge
Disc bulge means a spinal disc extends beyond its usual margin in a broad, generalized way.
Disc Herniation
Disc herniation means part of a spinal disc is bulging or displaced beyond its usual space.
Facet Arthropathy
Facet Arthropathy is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis means the spinal canal is narrower than expected on imaging.
Symptom guides connected to imaging
These pages target common symptom searches and link those questions back to imaging findings and report interpretation.
Abdominal Bloating: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider
Abdominal Bloating is a common symptom search that can overlap with several organs or body systems. Imaging is usually ordered when clinicians need structural clues that fit the rest of the history and exam.
Abdominal Pain After Eating: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider
Abdominal Pain After Eating is a common symptom search that can overlap with several organs or body systems. Imaging is usually ordered when clinicians need structural clues that fit the rest of the history and exam.
Bloating: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider
Bloating is a symptom search that can overlap with several structural and non-structural causes. Imaging may be used when clinicians need radiology clues that fit the rest of the history and exam.
Blood In Urine: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider
Blood In Urine is a symptom search that can overlap with several structural and non-structural causes. Imaging may be used when clinicians need radiology clues that fit the rest of the history and exam.
Chest Pain When Breathing: Why Imaging Might Be Used
Chest pain that worsens with breathing can raise concern for pleural irritation, lung-base inflammation, pulmonary embolism, or chest wall causes. Imaging helps narrow the possibilities when symptoms are concerning.
Chronic Cough: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider
Chronic Cough is a common symptom search that can overlap with several organs or body systems. Imaging is usually ordered when clinicians need structural clues that fit the rest of the history and exam.
Dizziness: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider
Dizziness is a common symptom search that can overlap with several organs or body systems. Imaging is usually ordered when clinicians need structural clues that fit the rest of the history and exam.
Flank Pain: Imaging Findings Doctors May Look For
Flank pain can reflect kidney, ureter, musculoskeletal, or referred abdominal causes. Imaging is used when stone disease, obstruction, infection, or another structural issue is suspected.
How to use this hub
- Start with a finding page if your radiology report already uses a specific term.
- Start with a symptom page if you are searching before imaging or trying to understand why a test was ordered.
- Use the RadDx tool when you want a plain-language explanation of your own report wording.
Why these pages are different from each other
Finding pages
Explain one radiology finding in plain English, including concern framing and common follow-up.
Variation pages
Cover the narrower versions of a finding when size, location, or severity wording changes the meaning.
Phrase pages
Decode copied report wording and link back to the broader findings those phrases usually represent.
Important Notice
Educational use only. RadDx does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or clinician supervision.
Not for emergencies. If you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate care.
Do not submit names, dates of birth, phone numbers, MRNs, addresses, or other identifying health information.