K SPACE

What is k-space.
• K-Space is an imaginary space that stores raw MRI
data before image formation.
• It acts as a bridge between signal reception and
image creation.
Structure
• K-Space has two axes:
• Horizontal axis (phase axis)
• Vertical axis (frequency axis)
• Data is filled in K-Space as horizontal lines.
Filling K-Space:
• The number of lines filled is determined by the
phase encoding steps.
• In conventional spin-echo imaging, one line is filled
per TR (repetition time).
Relationship to Image:
K-Space lines don't directly correspond to image
pixels.
• Center of K-Space represents image contrast.
• Periphery of K-Space represents resolution and fine
details.
Symmetry and Partial Sampling

K-Space halves (right/left or upper/lower) are

symmetric conjugates.
Fast imaging techniques exploit this symmetry to
reduce scanning time
HASTE (single-shot fast spin-echo) fills just over half
of K-Space.
EPI (Echo Planar Imaging) fills all K-Space lines within
a single