Magnetic resonance imaging has rapidly become a widely accepted and clinically useful imaging modality primarily because of its excellent contrast resolution, ability to perform multiplanar acquisition, and the lack of ionizing radiation. However, the nuances of image acquisition are not trivial. Many technical factors must be considered and understood in order to knowledgeably choose sequence parameters that suppress artifacts and optimize the diagnostic quality of a particular MR examination. Even then, residual artifacts may persist. The presence of the artifacts and their technical basis must be understood before completely accurate MR interpretation can be rendered.