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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.

It functions as a plain-English directory of common findings across the RadDx library, with grouped sections for chest, abdominal, vascular, neurologic, spine, and other body-region terms.

Currently linking 183 finding guides plus symptom pages that map to common imaging search intent.

Start here based on what you have

Need Help With Your Own Report?

Understand Your Radiology Report

Paste your radiology report into RadDx and get a calm, plain-English explanation of what the wording may mean in context and what to ask next.

Analyze My Report

Educational only. RadDx helps explain report wording and does not replace clinician guidance.

Works with CT, MRI, ultrasound, and X-ray reports.

Authority cluster hubs

These manually curated hubs connect findings, report phrases, imaging-test questions, and follow-up context into stronger topic ecosystems.

Featured finding hubs

These pages cover some of the strongest high-intent terms in the current library and help distribute users into related findings, symptoms, and report phrases.

Common report wording paths

When a search starts with exact wording from a chest report, phrase pages can bridge back to the broader finding guide without changing the medical meaning.

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.

Bile Duct Dilation

Bile Duct Dilation means a duct or hollow structure appears widened on imaging involving the bile duct.

Bile Duct Obstruction

Bile Duct Obstruction means imaging suggests a blockage in a hollow organ or passage involving the bile duct.

Bile Duct Stone

Bile Duct Stone means the scan shows a calcified stone involving the bile duct.

Bile Duct Thickening

Bile Duct Thickening describes tissue that appears thicker than expected on imaging involving the bile duct.

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 Obstruction

Bowel Obstruction means imaging suggests a blockage in a hollow organ or passage involving the bowel.

Bowel Polyp

Bowel Polyp means imaging suggests a focal tissue projection involving the bowel.

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 Obstruction

Colonic Obstruction means imaging suggests a blockage in a hollow organ or passage involving the colonic.

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.

Gallbladder Wall Thickening

Gallbladder Wall Thickening 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 Adenoma

Hepatic Adenoma is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

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, and the practical question is usually whether the report sounds clearly simple or more complex and in need of closer review.

Kidney Stone

Kidney Stone is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Large Bowel Obstruction

Large Bowel Obstruction is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Liver Calcification

Liver Calcification is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Liver Cyst

Liver Cyst is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Liver Hemangioma

Liver Hemangioma 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.

Liver Mass

Liver Mass is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Liver Steatosis

Liver Steatosis means excess fat is seen in the organ on imaging involving the liver.

Liver Thrombosis

Liver Thrombosis means imaging suggests clot within a vessel involving the liver.

Mesenteric Lymph Nodes

Mesenteric Lymph Nodes is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Mesenteric Lymphadenopathy

Mesenteric Lymphadenopathy is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

Mesenteric Mass

Mesenteric Mass is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Nephrolithiasis

Nephrolithiasis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

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.

Pancreatic Lesion

Pancreatic Lesion is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Pancreatic Mass

Pancreatic Mass is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Pancreatitis Findings

Pancreatitis Findings is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Peritoneal Free Fluid

Peritoneal free fluid means imaging saw fluid in the abdominal cavity between the organs. The wording alone does not show whether this is a small reactive finding or part of a bigger abdominal problem.

Peritoneal Nodule

Peritoneal Nodule is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Peritoneal Thickening

Peritoneal Thickening is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Portal Vein Thrombosis

Portal Vein Thrombosis 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 Cell Carcinoma

Renal Cell Carcinoma is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Renal Hydronephrosis

Renal Hydronephrosis means the kidney collecting system is dilated on imaging involving the renal.

Renal Lesion

Renal Lesion 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 broad kidney finding, and the real next question is usually whether imaging is pointing toward a cystic lesion, a solid mass, or something still indeterminate.

Renal Scarring

Renal Scarring is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Small Bowel Obstruction

Small Bowel Obstruction is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Splenic Calcification

Splenic Calcification is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Splenic Cyst

Splenic Cyst 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.

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.

Aortic Plaque

Aortic Plaque means focal atherosclerotic or calcified buildup is seen on imaging involving the aortic.

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.

Axillary Lymphadenopathy

Axillary Lymphadenopathy means lymph nodes appear enlarged on imaging involving the axillary.

Breast Lesion

Breast Lesion is a broad term for a focal imaging abnormality involving the breast.

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.

Cardiac Effusion

Cardiac effusion means imaging saw extra fluid around the heart. The wording alone does not show the cause or whether the fluid is putting pressure on the heart.

Cardiac Enlargement

Cardiac Enlargement describes an organ or structure that measures larger than expected involving the cardiac.

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.

Coronary Artery Plaque

Coronary Artery Plaque means focal atherosclerotic or calcified buildup is seen on imaging involving the coronary artery.

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.

Hilar Lymphadenopathy

Hilar Lymphadenopathy is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Interstitial Lung Disease

Interstitial Lung Disease is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Large Pleural Effusion

Large Pleural Effusion is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Lung Cavity

Lung Cavity is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Lung Consolidation

Lung Consolidation is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Lung Mass

Lung Mass is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Lung Nodule

A lung nodule is a small spot in the lung, but the key question is usually whether the report is describing a routine incidental finding or a nodule that needs interval follow-up.

Lung Opacity

Lung opacity is a broad radiology term for an area of increased density in the lung on imaging.

Lung Scarring

Lung Scarring is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Mastoid Effusion

Mastoid Effusion is an imaging finding patients often search after seeing technical report wording.

Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy

Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Mediastinal Mass

Mediastinal Mass is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Moderate Pleural Effusion

Moderate Pleural Effusion is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Multiple Lung Nodules

Multiple Lung Nodules is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Pericardial Effusion

Pericardial Effusion is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Pleural Effusion

Pleural 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.

Pleural Thickening

Pleural Thickening describes tissue that appears thicker than expected on imaging involving the pleural.

Pneumonia On CT

Pneumonia On CT is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Pulmonary Edema

Pulmonary Edema is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Pulmonary Embolism

Pulmonary embolism means a blood clot is seen in the arteries of the lungs.

Pulmonary Mass

Pulmonary Mass is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Pulmonary Nodule

Pulmonary Nodule is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

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.

Small Pleural Effusion

Small Pleural Effusion is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Solitary Pulmonary Nodule

Solitary Pulmonary Nodule is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Spiculated Lung Nodule

Spiculated Lung Nodule is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

General findings

Plain-English guides to common general imaging findings, with typical follow-up context and report wording examples.

Head findings

Plain-English guides to common head imaging findings, with typical follow-up context and report wording examples.

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.

Hip Arthritis

Hip Arthritis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Hip Effusion

Hip Effusion is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Knee Effusion

Knee Effusion is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Lipoma

Lipoma is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Meniscus Tear

Meniscus Tear is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator Cuff Tear is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Sacroiliac Joint Degeneration

Sacroiliac Joint Degeneration means age-related wear change is visible on imaging involving the sacroiliac joint.

Sacroiliitis

Sacroiliitis is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Shoulder Effusion

Shoulder Effusion is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Soft Tissue Lipoma

Soft Tissue Lipoma usually refers to a benign fat-containing soft-tissue mass involving the soft tissue.

Soft Tissue Mass

Soft Tissue Mass is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Soft Tissue Nodule

Soft Tissue Nodule 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.

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 Thickening

Bladder Thickening describes tissue that appears thicker than expected on imaging involving the bladder.

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 Enlargement

Ovarian Enlargement describes an organ or structure that measures larger than expected involving the ovarian.

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.

Pelvic Lymphadenopathy

Pelvic Lymphadenopathy is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Pelvic Mass

Pelvic Mass is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Prostate Enlargement

Prostate Enlargement is a radiology finding term that patients often want explained in plain English after seeing it in a report.

Prostate Nodule

Prostate Nodule 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.

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.

Abdominal Pain At Night: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider

Abdominal Pain At Night 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 Radiating To Back: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider

Abdominal Pain Radiating To Back 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 When Breathing: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider

Abdominal Pain When Breathing 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 When Walking: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider

Abdominal Pain When Walking 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 With Bloating: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider

Abdominal Pain With 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 With Fever: Imaging-Related Causes Doctors May Consider

Abdominal Pain With Fever 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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What makes this page different from the findings library?

This page is the broadest directory view of common radiology findings. It is meant to help users and search engines move through the library by topic cluster instead of landing on isolated pages.

Can I use this page if I only have a symptom and not a report term?

Yes. Start here or in the symptom library, then follow the grouped links into the findings and report-phrase pages that best match the wording you are seeing.

Trust and methodology

These trust pages explain the review process, sourcing standards, and AI limits that support the main radiology education hub.

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.