Acronym

MSK - Musculoskeletal

Imaging of bones, joints, and soft tissues

Expansion

Musculoskeletal

Purpose

General term for skeletal imaging across all modalities

Clinical Context

MSK radiology includes plain films, ultrasound, CT, and MRI. Plain radiographs are first-line for fractures, OA, and bone lesions.

  • Bone scan:
  • MRI:
  • CT:

Key Points

  • X-ray is first-line MSK imaging; MRI for soft tissue and marrow; ultrasound for tendons