What do the values collected at the ends of each horizontal row in k-space represent?

The values collected at the ends of each horizontal row in k-space represent late echo data obtained during each acquisition. In MRI, k-space is a mathematical space where the frequency and phase data from the acquired signals are stored. Each horizontal line of k-space corresponds to a specific moment in time during the acquisition of the images, with the ends of the rows indicating the later signals received from the patient.

In this context, late echo data typically refers to the signals that arrive after the main echo. These late echoes can contain important information about the image contrast and are crucial for accurately reconstructing the MRI images. The proper collection and interpretation of this data is essential for achieving high-quality imaging and ensuring that the features of interest in the anatomical structure are represented correctly in the final images.

Understanding that the ends of each horizontal row capture this late echo data helps clarify the timing and significance of the signals collected in k-space, ensuring that practitioners and students can appreciate the critical role that timing plays in image acquisition and reconstruction in MRI.